1. Figure 5 Comparison of outcomes with belimumab or rituximab therapy
Figure 5 | Comparison of outcomes with belimumab or rituximab therapy. a | Percentage change in urinary protein to creatinine ratio (or 24 h proteinuria) versus baseline. b | Percentage change in anti-M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody titre versus baseline. Data are from patients with membranous nephropathy and nephrotic syndrome treated with belimumab (n = 14) or rituximab (n = 132)61. Belimumab specifically targets the soluble form of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS, also known as BAFF)161. Changes in proteinuria and anti-PLA2R antibody titre after belimumab treatment seemed to parallel the changes observed after rituximab administration albeit with a delay in onset. Conceivably, the faster reduction in proteinuria and anti-PLA2R antibody titre after rituximab administration reflected the immediate B-cell lysis achieved by treatment, whereas the slower effect of belimumab might reflect the progressive 'exhaustion' of antibody-producing B cells secondary to BLyS binding and inhibition.
Ruggenenti, P. et al. (2017) Treatment of membranous nephropathy: time for a paradigm shift
Nat. Rev. Nephrol. doi: /nrneph