Earlier use of biologics may improve long-term lupus outcomes

Early use of biologic drugs such as belimumab may limit complications associated with steroid use and improve long-term outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus, according to data presented at an international conference.
Experts looked at data involving over 3,000 people from five trials of belimumab. The drug performed better than placebo both short term (under two years) and in the longer term (up to four years).
Prof Karen Costenbader who is involved in the work says that “these results do support use of belimumab in early disease to improve outcomes. The benefits of early treatment of SLE, as well as the need to limit glucocorticoid exposure, are increasingly recognized.”

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