Pooled OBSErve post hoc analysis: Steroid sparing with belimumab in SLE

Results from a post hoc pooled analysis of multi-country OBSErve cohort data, evaluating the long-term steroid-sparing effect of belimumab in 959 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), were published in Lupus by Moldaver et al. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients achieving ≤10 mg, ≤7.5 mg, ≤5 mg, or 0 mg/day oral glucocorticoid (OGC) doses from baseline through follow-up. Secondary endpoints included the percentage of patients achieving modified lupus low disease activity state (mLLDAS) and modified definition of remission in SLE (mDORIS). 

Key data: The percentage of patients receiving ≤5 mg/day OGC increased from 16.1% at baseline to 51.6% at 6 months and 87.5% at 24 months; 8.2% and 44.4% of patients discontinued OGCs by 6 and 24 months, respectively. The percentage of patients attaining mLLDAS increased from 0.4% at initiation to 11.1% at 6 months and the percentage of patients in mDORIS remission increased from 0.2% at initiation to 7.4% at 6 months.  

Key learning: Belimumab supported sustained OGC dose reductions to European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)-recommended thresholds (≤5 mg/day) from 6 months, with progressive improvements in mLLDAS and mDORIS rates through 24 months.