Table 2

Major characteristics of included studies

StudyTreatment (intravenous)NMean age (SD) yearsSELENA-SLEDAI at entryGeographical distribution of patientsEthnic make-up of trial participantsNumber and location of Study Centres
L02 2006 Phase II 52 weekBel 1 mg/kg11442 (11)>4 pointsUSA (98%),CaucasianNR69.9%59 in N America
Bel 4 mg/kg111Canada (2%)African AmericanNR24.7%
Bel 10 mg/kg111LatinoNR18.5%
Placebo113
BLISS-52 2009 Phase III 52 weekBel 1 mg/kg28836 (11)>6 pointsLatin America (50%),Caucasian22927%90 in Pacific Asia.
Bel 10 mg/kg290Asia (38%),Asian32738%11 in S America and E Europe
Placebo287E Europe and Australia (13%)Black/African Am304%
Alaskan Nat/Am Indian27932%
Nat Hawaiian/Pacific Islander00%
Multiracial51%
BLISS-76 2009 Phase III 76 weekBel 1 mg/kg27140 (12)>6 pointsUSA and Canada (53%),Caucasian56970%136 in
Bel 10 mg/kg273W Europe (25%)Asian283%N America and Europe
Placebo275E Europe (11%)Black/African Am11814%
Latin America (11%)Alaskan Nat/Am Indian10313%
Nat Hawaiian/Pacific Islander10%
Multiracial81%
  • NR, not reported; SELENA-SLEDAI, Safety of Estrogen in Lupus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index.