New hope for kids with lupus: drug trial shows promise

NCT ID NCT01649765

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested the drug belimumab in children aged 5 to 17 with active lupus. Participants received either belimumab or a placebo alongside their usual treatments. The goal was to see if belimumab could safely reduce lupus disease activity over 52 weeks.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

belimumab (a drug that targets a protein involved in lupus)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could provide a new treatment option to help control lupus in children, reducing disease flares and improving quality of life.

What could go wrong

This is a Phase 2 trial with only 93 participants, so results are preliminary. The drug may not work better than placebo, and side effects like infections are possible.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

systemic lupus erythematosus

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Phoenix, Arizona, 85016, United States

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010, United States

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Augusta, Georgia, 30912, United States

  • GSK Investigational Site

    St Louis, Missouri, 63104, United States

  • GSK Investigational Site

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

  • GSK Investigational Site

    The Bronx, New York, 10467, United States

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Buenos Aires, C1270AAN, Argentina

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Rosario, 2000, Argentina

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Santa Fe, 5400, Argentina

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Calgary, Alberta, T3B 6A8, Canada

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Aichi, 474-8710, Japan

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Miyagi, 989-3126, Japan

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan

  • GSK Investigational Site

    San Luis Potosí City, 78240, Mexico

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Lima, Lima 27, Peru

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Lima, Lima 5, Peru

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Surco, Lima 33, Peru

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Lodz, 91-738, Poland

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Warsaw, 02-637, Poland

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Moscow, 119435, Russia

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Saint Petersburg, 194100, Russia

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Tolyatti, 445846, Russia

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Espluges de Llobregat, 08950, Spain

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Madrid, 28034, Spain

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Valencia, 46026, Spain

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Bristol, BS2 8BJ, United Kingdom

  • GSK Investigational Site

    Liverpool, L12 2AP, United Kingdom

  • GSK Investigational Site

    London, NW1 2PG, United Kingdom

  • GSK Investigational Site

    London, WC1N 3JH, United Kingdom