Researchers conducted a Phase 3 clinical trial involving 446 adults with active lupus nephritis. The study compared the effects of adding intravenous belimumab to standard therapy against a placebo plus standard therapy over a period of 104 weeks.
The results showed that patients receiving belimumab had numerically greater reductions in certain antibodies and cells, such as IgA, IgM, anti-dsDNA, and plasmablasts. Additionally, these patients saw greater increases in C3 and C4 levels compared to those who received a placebo. The study also noted that belimumab reduced total CD19 B cells and naive B cells.
Because only about 50 to 60 percent of patients had data available at the final week, the results should be viewed with caution. While the trial identified several markers that may predict how a patient responds to the medication, these findings were based on numerical differences and specific groups. Talk to your doctor to see if this treatment fits your specific health needs.
