| 1. |
- Parodis, Ioannis, et al.
(author)
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Smoking and pre-existing organ damage reduce the efficacy of belimumab in systemic lupus erythematosus.
- 2017
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In: Autoimmunity Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 1568-9972 .- 1873-0183. ; 16:4, s. 343-351
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Belimumab is the first biologic drug approved for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of belimumab on clinical and serologic outcomes, and sought to identify predictors of treatment response in three Swedish real-life settings.METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled at initiation of belimumab and followed longitudinally for up to 53months. Surveillance outcomes included the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), 100mm Visual Analogue Scales for Physician's Global Assessment (PGA), fatigue, pain and general health, and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). Assessment of treatment response included the SLE responder index (SRI). B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) levels were determined using ELISA.RESULTS: SLEDAI-2K (median baseline score: 8.0; IQR: 4.0-13.8), PGA and corticosteroid use decreased during therapy, and patients reported improvements on fatigue, pain, and general health (p<0.0001 for all). SDI scores remained stable (p=0.08). Patients with baseline SDI scores >1 showed decreased probability and prolonged time to attain SRI response (HR: 0.449; 95% CI: 0.208-0.967), as did current smokers compared with non-smokers (HR: 0.103; 95% CI: 0.025-0.427). In contrast, baseline BLyS levels ≥1.2ng/mL predicted increased probability and shorter time to attain SRI response (HR: 2.566; 95% CI: 1.222-5.387).CONCLUSIONS: Disease activity and corticosteroid usage decreased, patient-reported outcomes improved, and no significant organ damage was accrued during follow-up. Smoking and organ damage predicted reduced treatment efficacy. These findings might contribute to a better selection of patients who are likely to benefit from belimumab.
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| 2. |
- Sohrabian, Azita, et al.
(author)
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Increased levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies in immune complexes before treatment with belimumab associate with clinical response in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2019
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In: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : BMC. - 1478-6354 .- 1478-6362. ; 21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Immune complexes are of importance in systemic lupus erythematosus pathogenesis, and autoantibodies are believed to participate in immune complex formation. Quantification of autoantibody levels in circulating IC might be of prognostic value.Methods: A C1q-binding-eluting technique was applied to purify immune complexes from 55 belimumab-treated systemic lupus erythematosus patients during a 24-month follow-up. Autoantibodies in serum and in solubilized immune complexes were quantified using addressable laser bead immunoassay. We investigated whether levels of autoantibodies in immune complexes associate with disease activity and response to belimumab treatment.Results: High baseline anti-double-stranded DNA and anti-histone levels in immune complexes associated with attainment of zero scores in clinical systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 during the 24-month follow-up (p = 0.003 and p = 0.048, respectively). Low complement levels associated with high serum anti-double-stranded DNA and anti-ribosomal P levels (p = 0.003 and p = 0.008, respectively) and high anti-double-stranded DNA (p = 0.002) but not anti-ribosomal P levels in immune complexes. Anti-SSA/SSB serum levels were lower in patients attaining lupus low disease activity state at month 6; these associations were stronger for corresponding immune complex levels. Serum levels of most autoantibodies had declined at month 3, whereas autoantibody levels in immune complexes, except for anti-double-stranded DNA, showed a more gradual decline over 1-2 years. Serum anti-double-stranded DNA levels decreased in all patients irrespective of systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000=0 attainment, whereas immune complex levels decreased only in achievers.Conclusion: Immune complex levels of autoantibodies against double-stranded DNA and the SSA/SSB complex show more specific associations with treatment outcome compared with serum levels in belimumab-treated systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Characterization of autoantibody content in circulating immune complexes could prove useful in treatment evaluation in systemic lupus erythematosus and other immune complex-associated diseases.
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