Current Treatment Options for Lupus Nephritis

Cyclophosphamide or MMF with a corticosteroid is the first treatment choice for lupus nephritis. On the other hand, azathioprine or MMF combined with a corticosteroid is useful as maintenance therapy.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disorder, has variable symptoms depending on the organ system which is affected. SLE of the kidney is known as lupus nephritis and, despite current therapeutic choices, 10% to 15% patients reach end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and need dialysis or transplant intervention.

SLE is more common in women than men (12:1), African-Americans (10 fold more as compared to whites) and lower income population. Nearly 35% adult newly-diagnosed SLE patients suffer from nephritis, while 50%-60% SLE patients develop nephritis within 10 years of diagnosis. The presence of renal complications results in poor prognosis especially in African-American SLE patients.

Guidelines for Management of Lupus Nephritis
Guidelines for the screening, treatment and management of lupus nephritis has been issued by The American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) describes lupus nephritis as continuous proteinuria (protein in urine) of more than 0.5 g/day and/or urinary casts. Urinary casts are cylindrical structures produced by the kidney in disease states. A kidney biopsy is required to diagnose lupus nephritis.

The International Society of Nephrology and the Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) modified World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lupus nephritis into 6 classes as per the seriousness and degree of disease.

Treatment goals include improvement in kidney function and delay in kidney failure. An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) is suggested for patient with proteinuria â‰¥0.5 g/day (ISN/RPS class I-II). On the other hand, ISN/RPS classes III-IV lupus nephritis patients need to be treated with immunosuppressive drugs (drugs that suppress immunity).

While Treating Lupus Nephritis, Mycophenolate Found Superior to Azathioprine, Study Shows
According to a global study the immunosuppressant drug mycophenolate mofetil turns out to be superior to azathioprine, an older immunosuppressant, as a maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis.

Antimalarials, such as hydroxychloroquine, are recommended for all SLE patients with nephritis since they effectively decrease disease progression and promote recovery.

Cyclophosphamide plus corticosteroids produces better results than corticosteroids when used alone. However this combination in lupus nephritis patients significantly increases the risk of side effects such as amenorrhea (stoppage of menstrual cycles), cervical dysplasia (abnormalities in cells of the cervix), herpes zoster and infection. A lower dose of cyclophosphamide used along with azathioprine maintenance therapy could possibly reduce this complication.

Hemodialysis Therapy Preferred by Lupus Nephritis Patients With End-stage Renal Disease
Most patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) caused by lupus nephritis opt hemodialysis as their initial kidney replacement therapy over peritoneal dialysis and preemptive kidney transplantation.

A clinical trial showed that Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was as effective as intravenous cyclophosphamide when the drugs were used to treat lupus nephritis in combination with prednisolone. The former combination was linked with fewer infections, nausea, vomiting and hair loss but higher incidence of diarrhea.

Thus, cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil combined with corticosteroids can be used as initial therapy for lupus nephritis.

Alternative Drug Found Effective For Patients With Lupus Nephritis
Lupus is a rare but serious disease that mainly affects women of child-bearing age and occurs when the body's immune system goes awry, damaging a variety of organs.

A clinical study has shown lower mortality and reduction in kidney function with MMF or azathioprine as compared with cyclophosphamide used during the maintenance phase of treatment; all the drugs were combined with corticosteroids in the study.. Thus, MMF or azathioprine is recommended during the maintenance phase of treatment of lupus nephritis.

Other drugs for treating lupus nephritis that are under investigation include rituximab, belimumab and tacrolimus.

In conclusion, existing treatment options are successful in treating lupus nephritis. Cyclophosphamide or MMF plus corticosteroid combination is an option as a first in line treatment for lupus nephritis. After recovery from disease, azathioprine or MMF combined with a corticosteroid is best suited as maintenance treatment.

Reference: Current Therapies for Lupus Nephritis; Zachary et al; US Pharmacist 2012

Source-Medindia