DI-005 Use of belimumab for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus in a tertiary level hospital

• Published in: European journal of hospital pharmacy. Science and practice Vol. 21; no. Suppl 1; pp. A71 - A72
• Main Authors: Alonso Castro, V, Gonzalez Martin, C, Sanchez Guerrero, A, Torralba Arranz, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.03.2014
• Subjects: Hematology; Lupus; Neutropenia
• ISSN: 2047-9956; 2047-9964
• DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2013-000436.176

Background Benlysta is a human monoclonal antibody that is indicated as add-on treatment in adult patients with active, autoantibody-positive (antinuclear antibodies ANA ≥ 1/80) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a high degree of disease activity despite standard treatment. Purpose To investigate the benefit of use of belimumab for the treatment of SLE in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods A retrospective observational study of patients undergoing belimumab treatment between January 2012 and July 2013. The following data were reviewed from Selene (medical history software): sex; age; dose; ANA and complement levels; articular, cutaneous, haematological or other conditions; concomitant treatments; adverse reactions; suspension and cause. Results 6 patients with active SLE (100% with ANA ≥ 1/80) were treated with belimumab (average age 38, 100% women) with a standard dose of 10 mg/kg. All revealed articular involvement, five cutaneous involvement, 2 haematological involvement, and 2 renal involvement (lupus nephritis). All patients were on a stable SLE treatment regimen consisting of (alone or in combination): corticosteroids (prednisone), anti-malarials (hydroxychloroquine) or immunosuppressive (mycophenolate mofetil). The most common adverse reactions were: asthenia (4 patients), lymphopenia (2), neutropenia (2), anaemia (1), cutaneous recurrences (3), nausea (3), infections (cystitis (2), respiratory infection (1)), arthralgia (1). 50% had to discontinue treatment due to lack of response (2) or prolonged adverse reactions (neutropenia) (1). Conclusions Belimumab is a recently launched drug which may be useful as an add-on treatment for those patients with active SLE. 50% of patients treated with belimumab revealed sustained improvement in SLE disease activity, with less fatigue, arthralgia and cutaneous exacerbations than that which they had under standard treatment. No conflict of interest.