Management of Lupus Nephritis

Abstract

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a frequent and severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. The main goal of the management of LN is to avoid chronic kidney disease (CKD). Current treatment strategies remain unsatisfactory in terms of complete renal response, prevention of relapses, CKD, and progression to end-stage kidney disease. To improve the prognosis of LN, recent data suggest that we should (i) modify our treat-to-target approach by including, in addition to a clinical target, a pathological target and (ii) switch from conventional sequential therapy to combination therapy. Here, we also review the results of recent controlled randomized trials.

Keywords

• lupus nephritis
• treat-to-target approach
• repeat kidney biopsy
• combination therapy