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BAFF/BLyS inhibitors: A new prospect for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus
Author(s) -
Fairfax Kirsten,
Mackay Ian R.,
Mackay Fabienne
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1046
Subject(s) - belimumab , b cell activating factor , medicine , clinical trial , systemic lupus erythematosus , immunology , lupus erythematosus , tumor necrosis factor alpha , antibody , disease , b cell
In November 2009, Human Genome Sciences and Glaxo‐Smith Kline [HGS (Rockville, Maryland) and GSK, respectively] announced that Belimumab, a neutralizing antibody to the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐like ligand, B‐cell activating factor (BAFF belonging to the TNF family, also named BLyS), met the primary endpoints in two phase III clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, lupus). In March 2011, Belimumab was approved by the US Federal Drug Agency for treatment of SLE patients; this was followed in May with approval by the European Medicines Agency for use in the European Union. This is an exciting development as it is the first successful late‐stage clinical trial in SLE in over 40 years. In the light of this breakthrough, we review the key data and research outcomes and examine how blocking BAFF in patients with SLE significantly improves clinical outcomes. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(7): 595–602, 2012