Early Use of Benlysta Linked to Improved Outcomes in People with Lupus
Research finds that including Benlysta in the lupus treatment regimen early on in the disease course may promote better outcomes. Use of the drug was associated with decreases in overall and organ-specific damage, organ damage accrual, prednisone use and flare rate. And importantly, people who began Benlysta treatment earlier in their disease course were found to respond to the drug more quickly and continue to respond better to the drug in the long run compared to people who started the treatment later in their disease course.
This research project is the largest ever European nationwide cohort study aimed at investigating Benlysta’s effects on disease activity, damage progression and remission. The study included data from 466 people with active lupus receiving intravenous (IV) Benlysta at different medical centers across Italy. Scientists measured changes in participants’ disease activity, organ damage and remission status over a two-year period while receiving IV Benlysta treatment and found that a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Responder Index of 4 (an indicator of low disease activity) was achieved in 49.2%, 61.3%, 69.7%, 69.6% and 66.7% of patients at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of treatment, respectively. In addition to earlier Benlysta treatment, low baseline organ damage was associated with more favorable disease outcomes.
Benlysta has been shown to decrease disease activity, reduce the need for glucocorticoid intake and minimize flares. And while Benlysta is frequently used as a last option in lupus treatment, these latest findings suggest that incorporating the treatment in earlier stages of the disease may maximize its effectiveness. Learn about what you need to know about Benlysta.