Sangye
03-11-2011, 04:51 AM
Today they announced that for the first time in 56 years there is a new drug that's been FDA-approved for Lupus. Here's (http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/03/10/134417435/fda-approves-benlysta-first-new-lupus-drug-in-more-than-50-years) an article on it. Here's (http://hgsi.com/latest/human-genome-sciences-and-glaxosmithkline-announce-fda-approval-of-benlysta-belimumab-for-treatment-of-systemic-lupus-erythema-2.html) the detailed info on the study, from a link in that article.
The drug works by killing off B cells, similar to rtx and cellcept. I have NO idea if it would be something considered for Wegs or if it even affects the same subpopulation of B cells that are the problem with Wegs. Dr Seo didn't mention it yesterday so my guess is that it's not a potential drug for us.
(On a sad note: one of the drug's side effects is depression, and two of the study participants committed suicide during the trial. I wonder how that will impact its use in the larger lupus community. I hope they can control that side effect.)
Anyway, I wanted to post it to give us all hope that there is always something new coming down the pike to help. Maybe someday there will be an FDA-approved drug for Wegs, too. That would sure make it easier to get insurance approvals for pricey drugs like rtx and cellcept. Keep your chin(s) up fellow Weggies! :smile1:
The drug works by killing off B cells, similar to rtx and cellcept. I have NO idea if it would be something considered for Wegs or if it even affects the same subpopulation of B cells that are the problem with Wegs. Dr Seo didn't mention it yesterday so my guess is that it's not a potential drug for us.
(On a sad note: one of the drug's side effects is depression, and two of the study participants committed suicide during the trial. I wonder how that will impact its use in the larger lupus community. I hope they can control that side effect.)
Anyway, I wanted to post it to give us all hope that there is always something new coming down the pike to help. Maybe someday there will be an FDA-approved drug for Wegs, too. That would sure make it easier to get insurance approvals for pricey drugs like rtx and cellcept. Keep your chin(s) up fellow Weggies! :smile1: