Lupus nephritis is inflammation of the kidney that is caused by systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Also called lupus, SLE is an autoimmune disease. With lupus, the body's immune system targets its own body tissues. Lupus nephritis happens when lupus involves the kidneys.
Medications used in treatment can include Corticosteroids. Immunosuppressive drugs- cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), azathioprine (Imuran) and mycophenolate (Cellcept). Rituximab has been used as an off-label treatment for lupus nephritis (LN) during the last decade, and to date reports on the clinical effects on more than 400 patients, including the randomized controlled LUNAR study population, have been published. Despite promising results obtained from observational studies and registries, with complete or partial renal response after 6-12 months in 67-77% of patients, the LUNAR trial failed to attain the primary endpoint…
