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Targeting BLyS in rheumatic disease: the sometimes-bumpy road from bench to bedside
William Stohl1, Jean L Scholz, Michael P Cancro
1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Current Opinion in Rheumatology
|February 19, 2011
Summary
Therapeutic targeting of B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) shows promise for treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Clinical trials indicate that agents targeting BLyS may offer new treatment options for this autoimmune disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and its receptors are crucial for B lymphocyte selection and survival.
- BLyS plays a key role in transitional B cell selection, making it a potential therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent clinical trial results of agents targeting BLyS, with a focus on their efficacy in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
- To evaluate the potential of BLyS-targeted therapies for managing autoimmune conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical trial data for BLyS-targeting agents.
- Focus on phase III clinical trials for SLE.
Main Results:
- Belimumab, an anti-BLyS monoclonal antibody, demonstrated moderate positive results in two phase III SLE trials.
- Belimumab received a recommendation for approval by an FDA advisory panel.
- Additional BLyS-targeting agents are currently under investigation in clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- BLyS-targeted therapies hold promise for novel treatments for SLE, a debilitating autoimmune disease.
- These trials are expected to advance personalized, targeted therapies for rheumatic diseases.
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