Lupus
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Comparative Study
Comparison of intravenous and subcutaneous exposure supporting dose selection of subcutaneous belimumab systemic lupus erythematosus Phase 3 program.
Background Belimumab is a recombinant, human, IgG1λ monoclonal antibody that targets B-lymphocyte stimulator. The intravenous formulation is indicated for the treatment of active, autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Belimumab has been formulated for subcutaneous (SC) administration to improve patient convenience. ⋯ The simulated belimumab accumulation following SC weekly dosing indicated that administration of a loading dose was not required. Similar Cavg,ss ranges were predicted for fixed dose SC and weight-proportional IV regimens in the simulated SLE population, albeit with a reversed body-size-to-exposure relationship for the SC regimen. These findings provide rheumatologists with a better understanding of expected differences in belimumab exposure when comparing IV and SC dosing regimens.