Positives

• In long-term lupus follow-up, belimumab lowered IFN-alpha2, IL-6, IL-10 and multiple autoantibody levels while reducing flare severity, mechanisms relevant to autoantibody-driven Long COVID phenotypes MDPI.
  
  

Negatives

• There are no published Long COVID trials or case series for belimumab; current use rests entirely on lupus-focused evidence and patient-level autoantibody profiling PMC.
  
  

Hurdles & Side Effects

• Belimumab (Benlysta) is a biologic priced over $4,000 per month, requires either weekly subcutaneous injections or monthly IV infusion, and insurers usually limit coverage to a confirmed SLE diagnosis Lupus.