COVID-19 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients treated with belimumab: a retrospective clinical study

Wu Y, Li Y, Wu T, Huang D, Wu J, Zhang W, Jiang X, Yao C, Liang X, Cheng L, Liao Z, Xu F, Tan C, Liu Y, Herrmann M (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Immunologic Research Humana Press

Book Volume: 72

Pages Range: 418-429

Journal Issue: 3

DOI: 10.1007/s12026-023-09449-2

Abstract

Background: Routine use of immunosuppressive agents in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) potentially increases the risk of adverse outcomes. belimumab, a monoclonal antibody for the treatment of SLE, remains untested for its specific impact on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms in these patients. Here, this research investigated the effect of belimumab on COVID-19 symptoms in SLE patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: This study enrolled SLE patients who underwent treatment with belimumab. After thorough screening based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, data pertaining to COVID-19 for both the participants and their cohabitants were obtained through telephone follow-up. The potential impact of belimumab on COVID-19 was evaluated by comparing COVID-19 symptoms and medication use across various groups to investigate the association between belimumab treatment and COVID-19 in SLE. Results: This study involved 123 SLE patients, of whom 89.4% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among cohabitants of SLE patients, the SARS-CoV-2 positive rate was 87.2% (p = 0.543). Patients treated with belimumab exhibited a lower incidence of multiple COVID-19 symptoms than their cohabitating counterparts (p < 0.001). This protective effect was found to be partially related to the time of last belimumab administration. Among those with COVID-19, 30 patients opted to discontinue their anti-SLE drugs, and among them, 53% chose to discontinue belimumab. Discontinuing drugs did not increase the risk of hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: This study concluded that treatment with belimumab did not increase susceptibility to COVID-19 and beneficially alleviated the symptoms of COVID-19.

Authors with CRIS profile

Martin Herrmann Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology

Involved external institutions

West China Medical Center of Sichuan University / 四川大学华西医学中心 CN China (CN) Dazhou Central Hospital / 达州市中心医院 CN China (CN) Meishan People's Hospital / 眉山市人民医院 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Wu, Y., Li, Y., Wu, T., Huang, D., Wu, J., Zhang, W.,... Herrmann, M. (2024). COVID-19 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients treated with belimumab: a retrospective clinical study. Immunologic Research, 72(3), 418-429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-023-09449-2

MLA:

Wu, Yinlan, et al. "COVID-19 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients treated with belimumab: a retrospective clinical study." Immunologic Research 72.3 (2024): 418-429.

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