rituximab + belimumab

Rituximab + belimumab is a combination therapy of two monoclonal antibodies used primarily in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis. Rituximab targets B cell antigen CD20 (CD20) on B cells, leading to their depletion, while belimumab inhibits Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13B (BLyS/BAFF), reducing the survival and differentiation of autoreactive B cells. The combination leverages complementary mechanisms—rituximab depletes existing B cells, and belimumab prevents repopulation by inhibiting BLyS—to achieve more sustained disease control. This approach has been evaluated in several clinical trials for refractory SLE, lupus nephritis, and primary membranous nephropathy[1][2][4][5][8].