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The Rationale for BAFF Inhibition in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  • SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (JT MERRILL, SECTION EDITOR)
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Abstract

BAFF (B-cell–activating factor) is a critical survival factor for transitional and mature B cells and is a promising therapeutic target for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 2010–2011, two phase 3 clinical trials showed that the addition of the anti-BAFF antibody belimumab to standard-of-care therapy in patients with moderately active SLE results in a better outcome at 52 weeks than standard-of-care therapy alone. Belimumab has been US Food and Drug Administration approved for the treatment of SLE, and other drugs that target BAFF are now in various stages of clinical testing. This review describes the function of BAFF and its homolog APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) and addresses the rationale for the treatment of SLE with BAFF/APRIL inhibitors.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Davidson has received grant support from the National Institutes of Health.

Disclosure

Dr. Davidson has served as a consultant for Merck Serono.

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  1. Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA

    Anne Davidson

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Correspondence to Anne Davidson.

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Davidson, A. The Rationale for BAFF Inhibition in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Curr Rheumatol Rep 14, 295–302 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-012-0258-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-012-0258-2

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