Questions about Benlysta (belimumab) for certain lupus patient groups remain

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Questions Remain About Belimumab in Certain Lupus Patient Groups

From Medscape Medical News

Janis C.

March 15, 2011 — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday

discussed belimumab (Benlysta), a newly approved drug to treat

patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), during a

briefing for healthcare professionals.

Among the unanswered questions outlined at the briefing were those on

the efficacy and safety of belimumab in black patients with lupus (few

of whom were included in the clinical trials), the effects of

belimumab in patients with lupus nephritis or central nervous system

effects (who were excluded from clinical trials), the possible fading

of the drug's efficacy over time, and the efficacy and safety of

belimumab in pediatric patients and during pregnancy.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/739018

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