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Recent progress in the treatment of lupus nephritis

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Modern Rheumatology

Abstract

The treatment of lupus nephritis has seen significant advances during the past decade mainly due to the publication of well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The choice of treatment is guided by the histopathologic classification but is also influenced by demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics that allow for the identification of patients at risk for more aggressive disease. For the induction arm, low-dose cyclophosphamide regimens and mycophenolate mofetil have been validated as alternatives to the established National Institutes of Health regimen of high-dose cyclophosphamide; for the maintenance phase, azathioprine and mycophenolate compete for treatment of first choice. Rituximab is efficacious in real-life clinical practice but ineffective in clinical trials. The role of recently approved belimumab in lupus nephritis eagerly awaits further documentation. Aggressive management of comorbid conditions, such as hypertension and dyslipidemia, is of utmost importance. Here, we review the latest advances in lupus nephritis therapy with a focus on recent RCTs as well as new biologic agents under development. Furthermore, we propose a therapeutic algorithm in an effort to facilitate clinical decision-making in this gradually changing landscape. Upcoming European and American recommendations should provide further clarification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete Medical School, 71003, Heraklion, Greece

    Antonis Fanouriakis & Dimitrios T. Boumpas

  2. Department of Nephrology, Venizeleion Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece

    Eleni Krasoudaki

  3. Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Greece

    Michail Tzanakakis

  4. Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece

    Dimitrios T. Boumpas

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  1. Antonis Fanouriakis
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  2. Eleni Krasoudaki
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  4. Dimitrios T. Boumpas
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Correspondence to Antonis Fanouriakis.

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Fanouriakis, A., Krasoudaki, E., Tzanakakis, M. et al. Recent progress in the treatment of lupus nephritis. Mod Rheumatol 22, 803–813 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10165-012-0655-4

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