One case of toxic epidermal necrolysis after treatment with belimumab in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Belimumab is a human immunoglobulin G1-lambda-1 (IgG1-λ) monoclonal antibody that targets the soluble BLyS human protein, also known as B-cell activating factor (BAFF) approved for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serious and sometimes fatal infections have been reported in patients receiving novel immunosuppressive agents, including belimumab. Thus, physicians should exercise caution when considering belimumab in patients with SLE. A 50-year-old woman with SLE presented with a severe, diffuse rash two months after initiating treatment with belimumab. A skin biopsy revealed epidermal necrolysis with keratinocyte detachment and apoptosis in the basal layer of the epidermis, suggestive for toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Belimumab was discontinued and 500 mg of pulse IV methylprednisolone therapy every day for 3 days were administered, with resolution of the skin lesions in the following days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of belimumab-associated TEN.