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01-03-2010 | Leading Article

B Cell-Targeted Therapies for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

An Update on Clinical Trial Data

Author: Dr R. John Looney

Published in: Drugs | Issue 5/2010

Abstract

In the past year there has been remarkable activity and some important success in the development of B cell-targeted therapies for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The most promising studies were BLISS-52 and BLISS-76, large phase III studies that demonstrated measurable efficacy for belimumab, a monoclonal antibody against B cell-activating factor (BAFF). The moderate-sized phase II/III trials EXPLORER and LUNAR that tested rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, for treatment of non-renal and renal lupus, disappointed many investigators with anecdotal success in refractory patients. These rituximab trials were intended to detect a large clinical effect in patients with very active disease and this was not found. Nevertheless, arguments can be made for additional studies in targeted populations or with a change in design to detect smaller or longer-term effects. Epratuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against the B cell surface antigen CD22, and atacicept, a chimeric molecule formed by a receptor for BAFF and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) with immunoglobulin (Ig)-G, have both been promising in initial small trials and now larger clinical trials are underway. Thus, recent clinical trial data show that B cell-targeting therapies are beginning to fulfil their promise as treatments for SLE and there are good reasons to hope for further progress in the near future.

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Title: B Cell-Targeted Therapies for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
An Update on Clinical Trial Data
Author: Dr R. John Looney
Publication date: 01-03-2010
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Drugs / Issue 5/2010
Print ISSN: 0012-6667
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1950
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/11535420-000000000-00000

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

B Cell-Targeted Therapies for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

An Update on Clinical Trial Data

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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