BeRLiSS 2.0 cohort: Belimumab in SLE with hematological abnormalities

Results from a retrospective analysis of the BeRLiSS (Belimumab in Real Life Setting Study) 2.0 cohort, evaluating belimumab in 443 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and baseline hematological abnormalities, were published in Lupus Science & Medicine by Hulej et al. Outcome measures included hemoglobin, platelet, lymphocyte, and leukocyte counts, and the rate of patients with anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and leukopenia at follow-up.  

Key data: At baseline, 76 patients had anemia, 44 had thrombocytopenia, 107 had lymphopenia, and 53 had leukopenia. By Month 48, hemoglobin increased from 9.90 ± 0.60 to 11.70 ± 1.40 g/dL (p < 0.001), platelets from 110.20 ± 38.10 to 176.6 ± 88.70 × 10⁹/L (p = 0.038), lymphocytes from 0.72 ± 0.21 to 1.14 ± 0.56 × 10⁹/L (p < 0.001), and leukocytes from 2.44 ± 0.53 to 4.73 ± 1.90 × 10⁹/L (p < 0.001). Responses were independent of concomitant immunosuppressant use, with significant glucocorticoid-sparing effects observed. 

Key learning: In a real-world setting, belimumab demonstrated efficacy in improving anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and leukopenia in patients with SLE and hematological abnormalities, regardless of immunosuppressant use, while reducing reliance on glucocorticoids.