Background: Belimumab (Benlysta) is currently approved for the treatment of active Lupus despite standard therapy. Few data are available on the efficacy of this drug in lupus nephritis (LN). Methods: 17 LN female followed in two Nephrology Italian Unit received belimumab for a median period of 36 months (range 6–42 months). The indications were: arthralgia in 3 patients, cutaneous manifestations in 2, residual proteinuria in 8, and the need to reduce steroids for severe side effects in 4. Of interest, 1 patient started therapy during Peritoneal Dialysis and continued after kidney transplantation due to non-responsive arthralgias. Results: Arthralgia and skin manifestations resolved in all patients. Proteinuria normalized in three patients and stabilized in all but one of the others. Steroids were indefinitely stopped in six patients (35%) and reduced to around 40% of the basal dosage in the other patients. During belimumab therapy, three extrarenal and one renal SLE flares were diagnosed accounting for a rate of renal flares of 0.02/patient/year. No major adverse events leading to therapy withdrawal occurred. Clinical case: Arthralgia resolved, immunological parameters improved and prednisone could be reduced within few months in the patient who started belimumab during peritoneal dialysis. After kidney transplantation belimumab was stopped but due to arthralgias unresponsive to standard immunosuppressive therapy it was restarted with success. Conclusions: Belimumab allows the achievement of complete response together with the withdrawal or the reduction of corticosteroids in almost all our patients. Of interest its satisfactory use in a patient in peritoneal dialysis and after kidney transplantation.

Belimumab may decrease flare rate and allow glucocorticoid withdrawal in lupus nephritis (including dialysis and transplanted patient) / V. Binda, B. Trezzi, N. Del Papa, L. Beretta, G. Frontini, G. Porata, P. Fabbrini, M.R. Pozzi, P. Messa, R.A. Sinico, G. Moroni. - In: JN. JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY. - ISSN 1121-8428. - (2020). [Epub ahead of print] [10.1007/s40620-020-00706-3]

Belimumab may decrease flare rate and allow glucocorticoid withdrawal in lupus nephritis (including dialysis and transplanted patient)

B. Trezzi
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
G. Frontini
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
G. Porata;M.R. Pozzi
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
P. Messa;
2020

Abstract

Background: Belimumab (Benlysta) is currently approved for the treatment of active Lupus despite standard therapy. Few data are available on the efficacy of this drug in lupus nephritis (LN). Methods: 17 LN female followed in two Nephrology Italian Unit received belimumab for a median period of 36 months (range 6–42 months). The indications were: arthralgia in 3 patients, cutaneous manifestations in 2, residual proteinuria in 8, and the need to reduce steroids for severe side effects in 4. Of interest, 1 patient started therapy during Peritoneal Dialysis and continued after kidney transplantation due to non-responsive arthralgias. Results: Arthralgia and skin manifestations resolved in all patients. Proteinuria normalized in three patients and stabilized in all but one of the others. Steroids were indefinitely stopped in six patients (35%) and reduced to around 40% of the basal dosage in the other patients. During belimumab therapy, three extrarenal and one renal SLE flares were diagnosed accounting for a rate of renal flares of 0.02/patient/year. No major adverse events leading to therapy withdrawal occurred. Clinical case: Arthralgia resolved, immunological parameters improved and prednisone could be reduced within few months in the patient who started belimumab during peritoneal dialysis. After kidney transplantation belimumab was stopped but due to arthralgias unresponsive to standard immunosuppressive therapy it was restarted with success. Conclusions: Belimumab allows the achievement of complete response together with the withdrawal or the reduction of corticosteroids in almost all our patients. Of interest its satisfactory use in a patient in peritoneal dialysis and after kidney transplantation.
Systemic lupus erythematosus; SLE; Belimumab; Lupus nephritis; Kidney transplantation
Settore MED/14 - Nefrologia
2020
30-gen-2020
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/717232
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