medwireNews: The US FDA has announced that the indication for belimumab will be expanded to include active lupus nephritis in children and adolescents aged 5–17 years.
“Active lupus nephritis is a potential serious complication in children with lupus, with most cases occurring within the first two years after their initial lupus diagnosis,” said Stevan Gibson, president and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America, in a press release.
“This approval marks a significant step forward in providing treatment options to these children at risk of incurring kidney damage early on in life,” he added.
Belimumab is currently used alongside standard therapy for the treatment of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus nephritis in adults, and active SLE in children aged 5 years and older.
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