Belimumab is a monoclonal antibody against B-cell activating factor (BAFF), and by blocking the B-cell activating factor, it interferes with B-cell differentiation and survival.
How is Belimumab being studied in Lupus nephritis?
The safety and efficacy of belimumab combined with multi-target therapy in the treatment of severe lupus nephritis is being studied in this single-center, prospective clinical trial. Patients with severe lupus nephritis will be enrolled and receive pulse methylprednisolone at a dose of 1.5 to 3.0g, followed by intravenous belimumab at a dose of 10mg per kilogram at weeks 2, 4, and 6, and every 4 weeks thereafter. Multitarget therapy will also be administered during the induction phase.
The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with a cumulative complete response at week 24 of treatment.
Eligibility Criteria:
Active LN in accordance with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria for SLE (1997), SLE-DAI>10 points (except type Ⅴ LN).
Patients with active lupus nephritis (type Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ, Ⅴ+Ⅲ, Ⅴ+Ⅳ) diagnosed by biopsy according to the ISN/RPS2003 lupus nephritis classification criteria, with pathological chronicity index (CI) less than 3 points and no TMA like changes in interstitial vessels.
Proteinuria ≥1.5g/24h, with or without active urinary sediment
Serum creatinine <3.0mg/dL or eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73m^2 (CKD-EPI formula).
Received methylprednisolone pulse therapy within 2 weeks before enrollment, cumulative dose 1.5-3.0g).
before inclusion.
