Safety of belimumab in association with denosumab in a patient affected by Lupus Erythematosus: a case report

Abstract

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by multisystemic involvement. Owing to multifactorial etiologies, low bone mineral density (BMD) osteoporosis (OP) and fragility fractures (FFx) have been very frequently documented in these patients. Appropriate treatments to minimize underlying immunologic disease activity remain mandatory, and the development of strategies to prevent and treat important complications as osteoporosis is needed. We present the clinical case of a female SLE patient treated simultaneously with belimumab (anti-BLyS) for the underlying disease, and denosumab (anti-RANKL) for concomitant severe osteoporosis. As these monoclonal antibodies have been recently introduced into the market, their combination has not been reported in literature yet. In this case, the combined administration proved a viable option for a SLE patient with osteoporosis and bisphosphonates contraindications.

Keywords

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Belimumab
• Denosumab