About Lupus Nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune condition, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells and tissues in the body, causing harmful effects. When the attack is against the kidneys, it is called lupus nephritis or kidney-involved lupus.

What are the consequences?
Your kidneys are essential to filter waste from the blood. Left untreated, lupus nephritis can be so damaging that dialysis or kidney transplant may be needed. With proper treatment, damage to the kidney can be limited and many people achieve remission within 6-18 months.

How is it treated?
Doctors may recommend different treatments for different people. However, most therapy regimens for serious cases lupus of lupus nephritis use the following medicines:

• strong immunosuppressive drugs that reduce the activity of your immune system to stop it from attacking your kidneys
• steroid drugs that decrease inflammation that can damage your kidneys

The most common type treatment regimen is known as “pulse cyclophosphamide therapy,” which uses the drug cyclophosphamide (also known as Cytoxan®) together with corticosteroid medications. Another treatment regimen that has been used more recently is based on a different immunosuppressive drug called MMF. Both appear to work with about the same effectiveness.

For many people with lupus nephritis, these treatment regimens can be very successful, but others may show only some improvement or may not respond at all. New, more effective treatments are therefore needed.

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