Citation

Zhang F, Zheng J, Li Y, Wang G, Wang M, Su Y, Gu J, Li X, Bass D, Chu M, Curtis P, DeRose K, Kurrasch R, Lowe J, Meizlik P, Roth DA. RMD Open 2022; 8(1): e001669.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001669

PMID

35428697

PMCID

PMC9014060

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of belimumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in China.
METHODS: In this phase 3, open-label extension period, eligible completers of study BEL113750 (NCT01345253) received intravenous belimumab 10 mg/kg monthly for ≤6 years. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included the SLE Responder Index (SRI)-4 response rate, severe SLE flares and changes in prednisone use. Analyses were based on observed data from the first dose of belimumab through to study end.
RESULTS: Of the 424 patients who received belimumab, 215 (50.7%) completed the study, 208 (49.1%) withdrew and 1 patient died. Overall, 359/424 (84.7%) patients had adverse events (AEs), and 96/424 (22.6%) had serious AEs. 26/424 (6.1%) patients discontinued study treatment/withdrew from the study due to AEs. Postinfusion systemic reaction rate was 1.5 events/100 patient-years. Herpes zoster infection rate was 3.0 events/100 patient-years, of which 0.4 events/100 patient-years were serious events. One papillary thyroid cancer and one vaginal cancer were reported in year 0-1 and year 3-4, respectively. There were no completed suicides/suicide attempts and no reports of serious depression. The proportion of SRI-4 responders increased progressively (year 1, week 24: 190/346 (54.9%); year 5, week 48: 66/82 (80.5%)). Severe flares were experienced by 55/396 (13.9%) patients. For 335 patients with baseline prednisone-equivalent dose >7.5 mg/day, the number of patients with a dose reduction to ≤7.5 mg/day increased over time (year 1, week 24: 30/333 (9.0%); year 5, week 48: 36/67 (53.7%)).
CONCLUSIONS: Favourable safety profile and disease control appeared to be maintained in patients with SLE in China for ≤6 years, consistent with previous belimumab studies.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Female; Treatment Outcome; Double-Blind Method; cytokines; lupus erythematosus; Immunosuppressive Agents; Prednisone; biological therapy; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; systemic; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; B-lymphocytes