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Schneider M, Schwarting A, Chehab G. [Update on lupus nephritis]. Z Rheumatol 2024:10.1007/s00393-024-01534-7. [PMID: 38935117 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-024-01534-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
In addition to the butterfly rash, lupus nephritis is the most specific manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The perspective on this organ manifestation has fundamentally changed as well as the manifestation of SLE itself 40 years after the first multicenter clinical study on lupus nephritis. Even if there is a faint glimpse of hope of a cure, there is still the fight against the problem of nonresponders and also the progressive loss of organ function. This update gives an overview of the current importance of lupus nephritis in the context of the whole SLE disease, of the special features and on the options provided by the new diagnostic and therapeutic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schneider
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Hiller Forschungszentrum Rheumatologie, UKD, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Hiller Forschungszentrum Rheumatologie, UKD, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
| | - A Schwarting
- Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland
| | - G Chehab
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Hiller Forschungszentrum Rheumatologie, UKD, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
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Zhu L, Wong YH, Wong SSH, Cheung SCY, Sher JKH, Yam IYL, Yung S, Chan TM, Yap DYH. Alterations in exhausted and classical memory B cells in lupus nephritis - Relationship with disease relapse. Clin Immunol 2024; 265:110284. [PMID: 38878808 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.110284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION B cell exhaustion is a functional abnormality of B lymphocytes observed in chronic infections and shows association with autoreactivity. The role of exhausted and classical memory B cells in maintaining disease stability of lupus nephritis (LN) remains unclear. METHODS We measured classical memory (CD19+CD21+CD27+), exhausted B cells (CD19+CD21-CD27-), and related cytokines in LN patients with multiple relapses (MR) (n = 15) and no relapse (NR) (n = 15) during disease remission. The expression of inhibitory/adhesion molecules, cell proliferation and calcium mobilization in classical memory and exhausted B cells were also assessed. RESULTS The MR group had higher proportion of circulating exhausted and classical memory B cells compared to the NR group and healthy controls (HC) (p all <0.05 for MR vs. NR or HC). Blood levels of IL-6, BAFF, IL-21, CD62L, CXCR3 and Siglec-6 were all higher in the MR group (p < 0.05, for all). Exhausted B cells from the MR group showed higher FcRL4, CD22, CD85j and CD183 but lower CD62L expression than NR and HC groups. Exhausted B cells from MR patients exhibited reduced proliferation compared to NR patients and HC, while classical memory B cell proliferation in MR group was higher than the other two groups. Exhausted B cells from both MR and NR patients showed impaired calcium mobilization. CONCLUSION Alterations in exhausted and classical memory B cells are related to disease relapse in LN. These findings may help devise new strategies for monitoring disease activity and preventing relapse in LN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Litong Zhu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yick Hei Wong
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sunny S H Wong
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Simon C Y Cheung
- Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jason K H Sher
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Irene Y L Yam
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Susan Yung
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tak Mao Chan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Desmond Y H Yap
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Jeon H, Lee J, Moon SJ, Kwok SK, Ju JH, Kim WU, Park SH. Predictors of renal relapse in Koreans with lupus nephritis after achieving complete response: a 35-years of experience at a single center. Korean J Intern Med 2024; 39:347-359. [PMID: 38247126 PMCID: PMC10918382 DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2023.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Renal relapse has known to be a poor prognostic factor in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), but there were few studies that identified the risk factors of renal relapse in real world. We conducted this study based on 35-years of experience at a single center to find out predictors of renal relapse in Korean patients with LN after achieving complete response (CR). METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, laboratory, pathologic and therapeutic parameters in 296 patients of LN who reached CR. The cumulative risk and the independent risk factors for renal relapse were examined by Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, respectively. RESULTS The median follow-up period from CR was 123 months. Renal relapse had occurred in 157 patients. Renal relapse occurred in 38.2%, 57.6% and 67.9% of patients within 5-, 10-, and 20-year, respectively. The age at diagnosis of SLE and LN were significantly younger, and the proportions of severe proteinuria and serum hypoalbuminemia were higher in patients with renal relapse. Interestingly, the proportion of receiving cytotoxic maintenance treatment was higher in patients with renal relapse. In Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, only young-age onset of LN (by 10 years, HR = 0.779, p = 0.007) was identified to independent predictor of renal relapse. CONCLUSION Young-age onset of LN was only independent predictor and the patients with severe proteinuria and serum hypoalbuminemia also tended to relapse more, despite of sufficient maintenance treatment. Studies on more effective maintenance treatment regimens and duration are needed to reduce renal relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howook Jeon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Jennifer Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Su-Jin Moon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Seung-Ki Kwok
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Ji Hyeon Ju
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Wan-Uk Kim
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Sung-Hwan Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul,
Korea
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Rovin BH, Furie RA, Ross Terres JA, Giang S, Schindler T, Turchetta A, Garg JP, Pendergraft WF, Malvar A. Kidney Outcomes and Preservation of Kidney Function With Obinutuzumab in Patients With Lupus Nephritis: A Post Hoc Analysis of the NOBILITY Trial. Arthritis Rheumatol 2024; 76:247-254. [PMID: 37947366 DOI: 10.1002/art.42734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether adding obinutuzumab to standard-of-care lupus nephritis (LN) therapy could improve the likelihood of long-term preservation of kidney function and do so with less glucocorticoids. METHODS Post hoc analyses of the phase II NOBILITY trial were performed. Time to unfavorable kidney outcome (a composite of treatment failure, doubling of serum creatinine, or death), LN flare, first 30% and 40% declines in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline, and chronic eGFR slope during the trial were compared between patients with active LN who were randomized to take obinutuzumab (n = 63) or placebo (n = 62) in combination with mycophenolate mofetil and glucocorticoids. The number of patients who achieved complete renal response (CRR) on 7.5 mg or less per day of prednisone was also determined. RESULTS Obinutuzumab reduced the risk of developing the composite kidney outcome by 60%, LN flare by 57%, and first eGFR decline of 30% or 40% by 80% and 91%, respectively. Patients receiving obinutuzumab had a significantly slower decline in eGFR than patients receiving placebo, with an annualized eGFR slope advantage of 4.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 /year (95% confidence interval 0.14-8.08). Overall, 38% of patients receiving obinutuzumab compared with 16% of patients receiving placebo achieved CRR at week 76 while receiving 7.5 mg or less per day of prednisone (P < 0.01); at week 104, the difference did not achieve significance (38% vs 22%; P = 0.06). CONCLUSION Post hoc analyses of NOBILITY demonstrated that compared with standard-of-care therapy, obinutuzumab treatment resulted in superior preservation of kidney function and prevention of LN flares. More patients achieved CRR at week 76 with less glucocorticoid use in the obinutuzumab group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad H Rovin
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jay P Garg
- Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, California
| | | | - Ana Malvar
- Hospital Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Rovin BH, Ayoub IM, Chan TM, Liu ZH, Mejía-Vilet JM, Floege J. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the management of LUPUS NEPHRITIS. Kidney Int 2024; 105:S1-S69. [PMID: 38182286 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
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Parodis I, Depascale R, Doria A, Anders HJ. When should targeted therapies be used in the treatment of lupus nephritis: Early in the disease course or in refractory patients? Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103418. [PMID: 37625673 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Although the prognosis of lupus nephritis (LN) has improved over the last few decades, 5-20% of patients still progress to kidney failure. Hence, there is an unmet need to improve the management of LN. Two novel drugs, belimumab and voclosporin, have been recently approved for LN and obinutuzumab is in the late stage of development. In randomised controlled trials (RCTs), all these drugs, added to the standard-of-care, were more effective than standard-of-care alone in achieving renal response. Now the question is: should these new drugs be used early in the disease course or just in refractory patients? The main reasons supporting the early use are based on the RCTs that demonstrated benefits when combinatory regimen was initiated early in incident and relapsing patients leading to a higher proportion of patients to achieve renal response, hence reducing nephron loss and the risk of kidney failure. The main reasons supporting the use of the combinatory regimens primarily in relapsing/refractory patients acknowledge that many patients responded well even without add-on medications, allowing a more economic use of innovative and costly drugs. However, good predictors of renal response to standard-of-care are lacking and, thus, the decision of adding new treatments early or just in refractory or relapsing patients has to consider drug access, risks of over or undertreatment, and preservation of kidney function in high-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Parodis
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gastroenterology, Dermatology, and Rheumatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Roberto Depascale
- Deparment of Medicine DIMED, Division of Rheumatology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea Doria
- Deparment of Medicine DIMED, Division of Rheumatology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - Hans-Joachim Anders
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine IV, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
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Ye T, Jiang M, Zeng X, Zong D, Du Y, Li X, Huang B, Tang X. Clinical significance of exostosin 1 in confirmed and suspected lupus membranous nephropathy. Lupus Sci Med 2023; 10:e001051. [PMID: 38154829 PMCID: PMC10759090 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2023-001051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of exostosin 1 (EXT1) in confirmed and suspected lupus membranous nephropathy (LMN). METHODS EXT1 was detected in 67 renal tissues of M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-negative and ANA-positive membranous nephropathy by immunohistochemistry, and cases were divided into confirmed LMN and suspected LMN. The clinicopathological data were compared among the above groups, as well as EXT1-positive group and EXT1-negative group. RESULTS Twenty-two cases (73.3%) of confirmed LMN and six cases (16.2%) of suspected LMN exhibited EXT1 expression on the glomerular basement membrane and/or mesangium area, showing a significant difference (p<0.001). Concurrently, lupus nephritis (LN) of pure class V demonstrated a lower frequency of EXT1 positivity compared with mixed class V LN in the confirmed LMN group (31.8% vs 68.2%, p=0.007). EXT1-positive patients in the confirmed and suspected LMN group showed significant differences in some clinicopathological data comparing with EXT1-negative patients (p<0.05). Follow-up data revealed that a greater proportion of patients in the EXT1-positive group achieved complete remission post-treatment (p<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that EXT1 positivity was significantly correlated with complete remission across the entire study cohort (HR 5.647; 95% CI, 1.323 to 12.048; p=0.019). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the EXT1-positive group had a higher rate of accumulated nephrotic remission compared with the EXT1-negative group in the whole study cohort (p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS The EXT1-positive group exhibited a higher active index and a more favourable renal outcome than the EXT1-negative group. It would be better to recognise suspected LMN with EXT1 positivity as a potential autoimmune disease and maintain close follow-up due to its similarities with confirmed LMN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Ye
- Department of Nephrology (Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology), Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengya Jiang
- Department of Nephrology (Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology), Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xueyan Zeng
- Department of Nephrology (Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology), Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Zong
- Department of Nephrology (Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology), Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Du
- Department of Nephrology (Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology), Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of Nephrology (Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology), Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Biao Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuanli Tang
- Department of Nephrology (Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology), Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Mejia-Vilet JM, Turner-Stokes T, Houssiau F, Rovin BH. Kidney involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: From the patient assessment to a tailored treatment. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2023; 37:101925. [PMID: 38151362 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
In the last few years, several studies have provided new evidence for the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients with lupus nephritis. Evidence showing dissociation between clinical and histological findings has prompted reevaluation of the role of the kidney biopsy as a tool for diagnosis and follow-up. In therapeutics, four immunosuppressive schemes now have supporting evidence for use as initial therapy. Current challenges include individualized selection of the best immunosuppressive regimen, an unmet need for non-invasive biomarkers of disease activity to inform treatment responses and guide subsequent therapy, holistic patient management in this complex, multisystem disease, and ultimately the development of more targeted therapies directed at specific effector pathways driving glomerular inflammation and damage in order to improve treatment response. In this communication, we review the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to lupus nephritis, as well as evaluation of response to therapy and disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Mejia-Vilet
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Tabitha Turner-Stokes
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frederic Houssiau
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain and Service de Rhumatologie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Brad H Rovin
- Division of Nephrology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
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Banos A, Bertsias G. Flares in Lupus Nephritis: Risk Factors and Strategies for Their Prevention. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2023; 25:183-191. [PMID: 37452914 PMCID: PMC10504124 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-023-01109-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Discuss the prognostic significance of kidney flares in patients with lupus nephritis, associated risk factors, and possible preventative strategies. RECENT FINDINGS Recently performed clinical trials and observational cohort studies underscore the high frequency of relapses of kidney disease, following initial response, in patients with proliferative and/or membranous lupus nephritis. Analysis of hard disease outcomes such as progression to chronic kidney disease or end-stage kidney disease, coupled with histological findings from repeat kidney biopsy studies, have drawn attention to the importance of renal function preservation that should be pursued as early as lupus nephritis is diagnosed. In this respect, non-randomized and randomized evidence have suggested a number of factors associated with reduced risk of renal flares such as attaining a very low level of proteinuria (< 700-800 mg/24 h by 12 months), using mycophenolate over azathioprine, adding belimumab to standard therapy, maintaining immunosuppressive/biological treatment for at least 3 to 5 years, and using hydroxychloroquine. Other factors that warrant further clarification include serological activity and the use of repeat kidney biopsy to guide the intensity and duration of treatment in selected cases. The results from ongoing innovative studies integrating kidney histological and clinical outcomes, together with an expanding spectrum of therapies in lupus nephritis, are expected to facilitate individual medical care and long-term disease and patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aggelos Banos
- Department of Rheumatology, 'Asklepieion' General Hospital, Voula, Athens, Greece
- Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Inflammation, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 115 27, Athens, Greece
| | - George Bertsias
- Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University Hospital of Heraklion and University of Crete Medical School, Voutes-Stavrakia, 71008, Heraklion, Greece.
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-FORTH, Heraklion, Greece.
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Malvar A, Alberton V, Lococo B, Lourenco M, Martinez J, Burna L, Besso C, Navarro J, Nagaraja HN, Khatiwada A, Wolf B, Rovin B. Remission of lupus nephritis: the trajectory of histological response in successfully treated patients. Lupus Sci Med 2023; 10:10/1/e000932. [PMID: 37258036 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2023-000932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated changes in kidney histology over time in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) undergoing immunosuppressive treatment. METHODS Patients with proliferative±membranous LN were studied. After a diagnostic kidney biopsy (Bx1), patients had protocol biopsy 2 (Bx2) at 9 (6-15) months and protocol biopsy 3 (Bx3) at 42 (28-67) months. Kidney histological activity and chronicity indices (AI, CI) were measured. RESULTS AI declined in a biphasic fashion, falling rapidly between Bx1 and Bx2 and then more slowly between Bx2 and Bx3. Patients were divided into those who achieved histological remission, defined as an AI=0 at Bx3 (group 1), and those with persistent histological activity (AI >0) at Bx3 (group 2). The early decline in AI was 1.6 times greater (95% CI 1.30, 1.91) in group 1 than group 2 (p=0.01). Between Bx2 and Bx3, the AI decline was 2.19-fold greater (95% CI 2.09, 2.29) in group 1 versus group 2 (p=7.34×10-5). Individual histological components of the AI resolved at different rates. Inflammatory lesions like glomerular crescents, karyorrhexis and necrosis mostly resolved by Bx2, whereas endocapillary hypercellularity, subendothelial hyaline deposits and interstitial inflammation resolved slowly, accounting for residual histological activity at biopsy 3 in group 2. In contrast, CI increased rapidly, by 0.15 units/month between Bx1 and Bx2, then plateaued. There were no differences in the rate of accumulation of chronic damage between group 1 and group 2. The increase in CI was significantly related to the severity of glomerular crescents (p=0.044), subendothelial hyaline deposits (p=0.002) and interstitial inflammation (p=0.015) at Bx1. CONCLUSIONS LN histological activity takes months to years to resolve, providing a rationale for the need of long-term, well-tolerated maintenance immunosuppression. Despite responding, LN kidneys accrue chronic damage early during treatment. This finding provides an explanation for the association of chronic progressive kidney disease with recurrent episodes of LN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Malvar
- Nephrology Unit, Hospital Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Bruno Lococo
- Nephrology Unit, Hospital Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Lourenco
- Nephrology Unit, Hospital Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Lucrecia Burna
- Nephrology Unit, Hospital Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Celeste Besso
- Nephrology Unit, Hospital Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jordi Navarro
- Nephrology Unit, Hospital Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Haikady N Nagaraja
- Division of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Aastha Khatiwada
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Bethany Wolf
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Brad Rovin
- Internal Medicine/Nephrology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Kale A, Lech M, Anders HJ, Gaikwad AB. Lupus Nephritis: New and Emerging Biologic and Targeted Therapies. BioDrugs 2023:10.1007/s40259-023-00597-3. [PMID: 37093522 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00597-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a polyclonal systemic autoimmunity directed against nuclear and other self-antigens. SLE/LN affects mostly females during childbearing age, which puts them at risk for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular disease, and pregnancy complications. The current management of LN involves the use of drugs with significant toxicities, and despite many attempts at novel drug interventions, the overall treatment efficacy has remained low. In this article, we discuss recent drug approvals and the upcoming pipeline of novel medications tested in clinical trials to improve effectiveness in terms of LN disease activity, LN relapse, and progression of LN-related CKD. In this context, we discuss (1) drugs with the potential to achieve these treatment goals by modulating SLE activity as the driving force for LN (e.g., belimumab, obinutuzumab, anifrolumab, and others); (2) drugs with SLE-non specific renoprotective effects by targeting non-immune mechanisms of LN progression (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin); and (3) drugs with dual immunosuppressive and antiproteinuric effects (voclosporin). Increasing the number of possible drug options will help to improve the management of LN in terms of efficacy and safety, and enable a more personalized treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajinath Kale
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333 031, India
| | - Maciej Lech
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, Hospital of the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Anders
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, Hospital of the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Anil Bhanudas Gaikwad
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333 031, India.
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