IgA2⁺ B cells and IgA2 anti-dsDNA antibodies are selectively targeted by belimumab after rituximab therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus.

ABSTRACT: No theragnostic biomarkers exist for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to enable a precision medicine approach. Baseline serum IgA2 anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody levels are associated with response to combination belimumab after rituximab therapy in SLE (BEAT-lupus trial, ISRCTN 47873003). Analysis of the CALIBRATE trial (NCT02260934) confirms that baseline IgA2 anti-dsDNA antibody levels are specifically associated with response to belimumab after rituximab (odds ratio [OR] = 16.9, confidence interval [CI]: 2.8-101, compared to rituximab alone-CALIBRATE and BEAT-lupus combined data). IgA2 anti-dsDNA antibody levels decrease alongside IgA2 expression in plasmablasts only after this combination treatment. Increased serum B cell-activating factor (BAFF) levels are associated wit

SUBMITTER: McCluskey D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12432362 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature