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NCT04908865

Open-label Study of Belimumab Plus Standard Therapy in Chinese Pediatric Participants With Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Completed Phase 4 Results posted Last updated 23 July 2025
What this trial tests

Phase 4 trial testing Belimumab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 67 participants. Completed in 13 August 2024.

Timeline
21 October 2021
Primary endpoint
23 May 2024
13 August 2024

Quick facts

Lead sponsorGlaxoSmithKline
PhasePhase 4
StatusCompleted
Study typeINTERVENTIONAL
Allocationna
Designsingle group
Maskingnone
Primary purposetreatment
Enrollment67
Start date21 October 2021
Primary completion23 May 2024
Estimated completion13 August 2024
Sites9 locations across China

Drugs / interventions tested

Conditions studied

Sponsor

GlaxoSmithKline — full company profile →

Who can join

Adults 5 to 17, any sex, with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Results — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Per-arm endpoint measurements with 95% confidence intervals where reported. Source: trial results section.

Number of Participants With Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESIs) Through Week 52 Primary · Up to Week 52

An adverse event (AE) is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of a study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. AESIs included malignancies, post-infusion systemic or hypersensitivity reactions, infections (including serious infections of special interest), and depression, suicide, or self-injury. Infections of special interest included opportunistic infections (OI), herpes zoster (HZ), tuberculosis (TB), and sepsis. Number of participants with AESIs as identified by custom Medical Dic

All malignancies
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab0
Post-infusion systemic reactions (PISR)
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab0
All infections of special interest (OI, HZ, TB, sepsis)
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab2
Depression (including mood disorders and anxiety)/suicide/self-injury
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab0
Number of Participants With Greater Than Equal to (>=) 4 Points Reduction From Baseline to Week 52 in Safety of Estrogen in Lupus National Assessment - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) Score Primary · Baseline (Day 0) and Week 52

The SELENA-SLEDAI score is a cumulative and weighted index for assessing SLE disease activity in participants with SLE. It consists of 24 disease descriptors related to signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, and physician's assessment across 9 organ systems. Each descriptor is assigned a weighted score (8 descriptors with a weight of 8 each, 6 descriptors with a weight of 4 each, 7 descriptors with a weight of 2 each, and 3 descriptors with a weight of 1 each) which is added up if the descriptor is observed during a visit or within the preceding 10 days. The total score ranges from 0 (no diseas

GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab44
Number of Participants With AEs and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) Through Week 52 Secondary · Up to Week 52

An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of a study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. An SAE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence that, at any dose: results in death, is life threatening, requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, is a birth defect or congenital anomaly, or other situations as per the medical or scientific judgment of the investigator. Number of partic

AEs
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab56
SAEs
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab19
Percentage of Participants With >=4 Points Reduction From Baseline in SELENA-SLEDAI Score by Each Visit Secondary · Baseline (Day 0) and Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52

The SELENA-SLEDAI score is a cumulative and weighted index for assessing SLE disease activity in participants with SLE. It consists of 24 disease descriptors related to signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, and physician's assessment across 9 organ systems. Each descriptor is assigned a weighted score (8 descriptors with a weight of 8 each, 6 descriptors with a weight of 4 each, 7 descriptors with a weight of 2 each, and 3 descriptors with a weight of 1 each) which is added up if the descriptor is observed during a visit or within the preceding 10 days. The total score ranges from 0 (no diseas

Week 4
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab39.8
Week 8
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab51.8
Week 12
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab68.9
Week 16
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab69.0
Week 20
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab65.4
Week 24
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab68.1
Week 28
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab65.7
Week 32
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab67.7
Change From Baseline to Week 52 in Physician Global Assessment (PGA) Secondary · Baseline (Day 0) and Week 52

The PGA is used to assess the participant's current disease activity by investigator. It is collected on a 10 centimeter (cm) visual analogue scale. The score ranges from 0 (no activity) to 3 (severe activity). Lower score means no disease activity, higher score means severe disease activity. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits.

GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab-0.931± 0.6046
Change From Baseline to Week 52 in Parent Global Assessment (ParentGA) Secondary · Baseline (Day 0) and Week 52

The ParentGA is used to assess the participant's overall well-being at the moment rated on a 21-numbered circle visual analog scale by the parent. The score ranges from 0 (very well) to 10 (very poorly). Higher score indicates worse effect of the illness on the child. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits.

GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab-2.71± 2.713
Change From Baseline in Average Daily Prednisone Equivalent Dose at Week 52 Secondary · Baseline (Day 0) and Week 52

The average daily prednisone equivalent dose accounted for all steroids taken IV, intramuscularly (IM), subcutaneously (SC), intradermally, and orally for both SLE and non-SLE reasons. All steroid dosages were converted to a prednisone equivalent in mg at each visit. The daily prednisone equivalent dose for a steroid was calculated as follows: collected dose of the steroid in mg multiplied by (\*) conversion factor \* frequency factor. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits. At Baseline, the average daily prednis

GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab-6.020± 9.2970
Time to First Flare Over 52 Weeks Secondary · Up to Week 52

The SLE flare index (SFI) is used to categorize SLE flares as mild/moderate or severe. A mild/moderate SFI flare involves: a SELENA-SLEDAI score increase of 3 to 12 points (higher score means greater disease activity); SLE symptom development; prednisone dose increase (but not above 0.5 milligrams per kilogram per day \[mg/kg/day\]); non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/hydroxychloroquine addition; or PGA score increase by 1 or more, but not to more than 2.5 (higher score means greater disease activity). A severe SFI flare involves: SELENA-SLEDAI score increase over 12 points; onset

GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab141.058.0 – 333.0
Time to First Severe Flare Over 52 Weeks Secondary · Up to Week 52

The SFI is used to categorize SLE flares as mild/moderate or severe. A severe SFI flare involves SELENA-SLEDAI score increase over 12 points (higher score means greater disease activity), onset or worsening of severe SLE symptoms, prednisone dose increase above 0.5 mg/kg/day, introduction of potent immunosuppressants, hospitalization, or PGA score reaching 2.5 or higher (higher score means higher disease activity). Time to first severe SLE flare was the number of days from treatment start date until the participant met an event. Time to first severe flare was defined as event date minus treatm

GroupValue95% CI
BelimumabNA289.0 – NA
Median Belimumab Concentration Levels at Day 0, 7, and 14 Days Post First Dose, and Pre-infusion and Post-infusion at Day 84 Secondary · Days 0, 7, and 14 days post first dose, and pre-infusion and post-infusion at Day 84

Blood samples were collected at indicated time points for measurement of plasma concentrations of belimumab.

Day 0
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab197.1173141.9326 – 257.3748
Day 7
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab71.361635.9532 – 100.5913
Day 14
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab37.858514.5944 – 74.1679
Day 84, pre-infusion
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab28.24152.3467 – 89.0718
Day 84, post-infusion
GroupValue95% CI
Belimumab238.5688139.1862 – 357.0316

Adverse events — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Time frame: All-cause mortality, SAEs, and non-serious adverse events (non-SAEs) were collected from the start of the study intervention (Day 0) up to the post-treatment follow-up visit at Week 64. Reporting threshold: 0%. Adverse-event reports describe events observed during the trial — not all are caused by the drug.

Belimumab
Serious: 20/67 (30%)
Deaths: 0/67

Serious adverse events (23 terms)

ReactionSystemBelimumab
RashSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
BronchitisInfections and infestations
Systemic lupus erythematosusMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
HeadacheNervous system disorders
PyrexiaGeneral disorders
Interstitial lung diseaseRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
COVID-19Infections and infestations
GastroenteritisInfections and infestations
H1N1 influenzaInfections and infestations
PneumoniaInfections and infestations
Upper respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations
Urinary tract infectionInfections and infestations
Cerebral infarctionNervous system disorders
AlopeciaSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Gastrointestinal haemorrhageGastrointestinal disorders
Pulmonary arterial hypertensionRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
ThrombocytopeniaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
MyocarditisCardiac disorders
Eyelid oedemaEye disorders
Hepatic function abnormalHepatobiliary disorders
HypogammaglobulinaemiaImmune system disorders
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorderNervous system disorders
Pancreatitis necrotisingGastrointestinal disorders
Other adverse events (124 terms — click to expand)

ReactionSystemBelimumab
Upper respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations
Coronavirus pneumoniaInfections and infestations
COVID-19Infections and infestations
CoughRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Hepatic function abnormalHepatobiliary disorders
PyrexiaGeneral disorders
Lymphocyte count decreasedInvestigations
BronchitisInfections and infestations
White blood cell count decreasedInvestigations
RashSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
GastroenteritisInfections and infestations
GastritisGastrointestinal disorders
Intraocular pressure increasedInvestigations
HypokalaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders
AnaemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders
ConjunctivitisInfections and infestations
InfectionInfections and infestations
InfluenzaInfections and infestations
Oral candidiasisInfections and infestations
PneumoniaInfections and infestations
Respiratory tract infectionInfections and infestations
Tinea versicolourInfections and infestations
Urinary tract infectionInfections and infestations
Functional gastrointestinal disorderGastrointestinal disorders
Mouth ulcerationGastrointestinal disorders
Chest painGeneral disorders
Neutrophil count increasedInvestigations
AlopeciaSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Dermatitis allergicSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
XerophthalmiaEye disorders
Renal failureRenal and urinary disorders
Autoimmune thyroiditisEndocrine disorders
Cerumen impactionEar and labyrinth disorders
Abscess soft tissueInfections and infestations
Adenovirus infectionInfections and infestations
GingivitisInfections and infestations
Helicobacter infectionInfections and infestations
HerpanginaInfections and infestations
MumpsInfections and infestations
NasopharyngitisInfections and infestations

Most-reported serious reactions: Rash, Bronchitis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Headache, Pyrexia, Interstitial lung disease, COVID-19, Gastroenteritis.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04908865 adverse events section.

Sponsor's own description

This study will be conducted to evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of belimumab administered in combination with background standard therapy in pediatric participants with active SLE.

Publications & conference data

2 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

  1. A narrative review of potential drug treatments for nephritis in children with IgA vasculitis (HSP).
    Williams CEC, Lamond M, Marro J, Chetwynd AJ, et al · · 2023 · cited 17× · PMID 37755547 · DOI 10.1007/s10067-023-06781-8
  2. Juvenile-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Recent Advances in Pathogenesis and Treatment.
    Natoli V, Charras A, Smith EM, Hedrich CM. · · 2025 · cited 1× · PMID 41410901 · DOI 10.1007/s11926-025-01207-7

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Other trials of Belimumab

Trials testing the same drug.

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Trials by the same sponsor.

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Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing