eLetter: Tabalumab, an anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis with an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors by M Genovese

We read with great interest the article by Genovese et al 1 on the effect of the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) antagonist tabalumab in rheumatoid arthritis patients with inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)a blockade. The results of this study indicated a moderate effect of tabalumab early (week 6/week 9) after initiation of therapy, both in terms of clinical as well as laboratory markers of disease activity, which however was not significantly sustained later on in the course of treatment (week 16). In the previous decade, biological therapies that target the B cell have become established in the treatment of rheumatoid …