Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Disruption of memory B-cell trafficking by belimumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors' conclusion
Upon BEL initiation, an increase of MBCs was firmly established. In the small cohort investigated, circulating MBCs were de-activated, non-proliferative and demonstrated characteristics of disrupted lymphocyte trafficking, expanding on our understanding of the therapeutic mechanism of B-cell-activating factor inhibition by BEL.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with SLE; mild/moderate SLE and severe SLE/LN
- Participants
- 1,245 patients4 randomised trials
- Comparison
- Belimumab (BEL) vs placebo
- Outcome
- Circulating MBCs in BEL-treated patients
Methodological detailsretrospective meta-analysis of flow cytometry data from four randomised trials, high-sensitivity flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing
- Retrospective meta-analysis of flow cytometry data from four randomised trials
- High-sensitivity flow cytometry
- Single-cell RNA sequencing
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Significant increase in circulating memory B cells (MBCs), in a broad range of MBC subsets, established at week 2, gradually returning to baseline by week 52
- Increase most prominent in patients with higher SLE disease activity, serologically active patients and patients aged ≤18 years
- MBCs had a non-proliferating phenotype with a prominent decrease in activation status and downregulation of numerous migration genes
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Disruption of memory B-cell trafficking by belimumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 22 May 2024. doi:10.
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