Treatment of membranous lupus nephritis with nephrotic syndrome by sequential immunosuppression

Long-term renal outcomes of patients with non-proliferative lupus nephritis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Although non-proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) (class I, II or V) has been considered as a less severe type of LN, data on long-term renal prognosis are limited. We investigated the long-term outcomes and prognostic factors in non-proliferative LN.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who were diagnosed with LN class I, II, V, or II + V by kidney biopsy from 1997 to 2021. A poor renal outcome was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.

RESULTS

We included 71 patients with non-proliferative LN (class I = 4; class II = 17; class V = 48; class II+V = 2), and the overall rate of poor renal outcomes was 29.6% (21/71). The univariate analysis indicated that older age, low eGFR at 6 or 12 months, failure to reach complete remission at 6 months, and LN chronicity score > 4 or activity score > 6 were significantly associated with poor renal outcomes. The multivariate analysis revealed that low eGFR at 6 months (HR 0.971, 95% CI 0.949-0.991; p = 0.014) was significantly associated with poor renal outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Poor renal outcomes occurred in approximately 30% of patients with non-proliferative LN after long-term follow-up. More active management may be needed for non-proliferative LN, especially for patients with eGFR < 60 mL/ min/1.73 m2 at 6 months follow-up after LN diagnosis.

Phase II, randomised, double-blind, multicentre study evaluating the safety and efficacy of filgotinib and lanraplenib in patients with lupus membranous nephropathy

Objectives

Patients with lupus membranous nephropathy (LMN) are at risk for prolonged proteinuria and progressive chronic kidney disease. There are no proven effective treatments for LMN, and controlled trials are lacking. This trial assessed the preferential Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor filgotinib and the spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor lanraplenib in patients with LMN.

Methods

This was a phase II, randomised, double-blind trial conducted at 15 centres in the USA to evaluate the safety and efficacy of filgotinib or lanraplenib for the treatment of LMN. Eligible patients were randomised 1:1 to receive either filgotinib or lanraplenib in a blinded fashion for up to 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was the per cent change in 24-hour urine protein from baseline to week 16.

Results

Nine patients were randomised to receive filgotinib (n=5) or lanraplenib (n=4). Four patients in the filgotinib group and one patient in the lanraplenib group completed week 16. There was a median reduction of 50.7% in 24-hour urine protein after 16 weeks of treatment with filgotinib (n=4), and the median Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index from the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus National Assessment score remained stable. Filgotinib treatment was well tolerated. Limited conclusions can be drawn about treatment with lanraplenib.

Conclusion

The number of patients treated in this study was small, and only limited conclusions can be drawn. There may be a therapeutic benefit with filgotinib treatment, which may support future investigations with filgotinib or other JAK inhibitors in patients with LMN.

Trial registration number

NCT03285711.

Acute respiratory viral adverse events during use of antirheumatic disease therapies: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 is an acute respiratory viral infection that threatens people worldwide, including people with rheumatic disease, although it remains unclear to what extent various antirheumatic disease therapies increase susceptibility to complications of viral respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVE

The present study undertakes a scoping review of available evidence regarding the frequency and severity of acute respiratory viral adverse events related to antirheumatic disease therapies.

METHODS

Online databases were used to identify, since database inception, studies reporting primary data on acute respiratory viral infections in patients utilizing antirheumatic disease therapies. Independent reviewer pairs charted data from eligible studies using a standardized data abstraction tool.

RESULTS

A total of 180 studies were eligible for qualitative analysis. While acknowledging that the extant literature has a lack of specificity in reporting of acute viral infections or complications thereof, the data suggest that use of glucocorticoids, JAK inhibitors (especially high-dose), TNF inhibitors, and anti-IL-17 agents may be associated with an increased frequency of respiratory viral events. Available data suggest no increased frequency or risk of respiratory viral events with NSAIDs, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide, or apremilast. One large cohort study demonstrated an association with leflunomide use and increased risk of acute viral respiratory events compared to non-use.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review identified that some medication classes may confer increased risk of acute respiratory viral infections. However, definitive data are lacking and future studies should address this knowledge gap.

Membranous Lupus Nephritis: A Clinical Review

Membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) (Class V lupus nephritis [LN]) is a distinct form of LN defined by the presence of subepithelial immune complex deposits seen on kidney biopsy. MLN is often associated with the nephrotic syndrome. The histology of MLN closely resembles that of idiopathic (primary) membranous nephropathy (pMN). However, MLN typically has abundant mesangial deposits that are absent in primary membranous nephropathy. The clinical presentation, management, and prognosis of MLN differ from that of the proliferative forms of LN (Class III, IV, or Mixed III/IV + V). Although immunosuppressive therapy is often warranted in MLN, the optimal treatment regimen remains unclear. Here we describe the clinical presentation, histologic features, and natural history of MLN. We also review the role of supportive treatment and discuss when to deploy immunosuppressive management in MLN.

Rare Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hemorrhagic Cystitis in a Chinese Population with Rheumatic Diseases

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, severity, risk factors, and treatment outcomes of cyclophosphamide (CYC)-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods

We collected the clinical data from 1284 consecutive patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University who were treated with CYC between 2006 and 2016, and then conducted a retrospective analysis.

Results

The mean cumulative dose of CYC was 18.3 ± 13.4 g, and the mean treatment duration of CYC was 10.0 ± 7.2 months. We identified four patients with HC, yielding a crude prevalence of 0.3%. The average time from initial primary diagnosis to HC onset was 51.6 months (33–86 months). All of the four patients with HC were exposed to a high cumulative CYC dose (>60 g). Severity was assessed as grade II in one, grade III in one and grade IV in two patients. One had resolution of hematuria after hydration, and one case resolved after combination therapy of clot removal by cystoscopy, hydration, and bladder irrigation. The other two were unresponsive to the above treatment and finally had resolution after cystectomy. The average resolution time of hematuria was 39.5 days (7–56 days). There were no deaths in our cohort.

Conclusion

CYC-induced HC was rare and highly variable in Chinese patients with rheumatic diseases. Individualized treatment should be performed according to the severity of HC for each patient. More aggressive treatment strategies might improve the outcomes of patients with high-grade HC (grades III and IV). Our findings strengthened the link between HC events and higher cumulative CYC exposure (>60 g).

Looking back to move forward: a twenty-year audit of herpes zoster in Asia-Pacific

Background

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a prevalent viral disease that inflicts substantial morbidity and associated healthcare and socioeconomic burdens. Current treatments are not fully effective, especially among the most vulnerable patients. Although widely recommended, vaccination against HZ is not routine; barriers in Asia-Pacific include long-standing neglect of adult immunisation and sparse local data. To address knowledge gaps, raise awareness, and disseminate best practice, we reviewed recent data and guidelines on HZ from the Asia-Pacific region.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and World Health Organization databases for articles about HZ published from 1994 to 2014 by authors from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. We selected articles about epidemiology, burden, complications, comorbidities, management, prevention, and recommendations/guidelines. Internet searches retrieved additional HZ immunisation guidelines.

Results

From 4007 retrieved articles, we screened-out 1501 duplicates and excluded 1264 extraneous articles, leaving 1242 unique articles. We found guidelines on adult immunisation from Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand.

HZ epidemiology in Asia-Pacific is similar to elsewhere; incidence rises with age and peaks at around 70 years – lifetime risk is approximately one-third. Average incidence of 3–10/1000 person-years is rising at around 5% per year. The principal risk factors are immunosenescence and immunosuppression. HZ almost always causes pain, and post-herpetic neuralgia is its most common complication. Half or more of hospitalised HZ patients have post-herpetic neuralgia, secondary infections, or inflammatory sequelae that are occasionally fatal. These disease burdens severely diminish patients’ quality of life and incur heavy healthcare utilisation.

Conclusions

Several countries have abundant data on HZ, but others, especially in South-East Asia, very few. However, Asia-Pacific countries generally lack data on HZ vaccine safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Physicians treating HZ and its complications in Asia-Pacific face familiar challenges but, with a vast aged population, Asia bears a unique and growing burden of disease. Given the strong rationale for prevention, most adult immunisation guidelines include HZ vaccine, yet it remains underused. We urge all stakeholders to give higher priority to adult immunisation in general and HZ in particular.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2198-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Presentation and outcome of paediatric membranous non-proliferative lupus nephritis

BACKGROUND

Studies of paediatric patients with membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) have yielded variable results, mostly due to the inclusion of mixed, i.e. proliferative nephritis. The aim of this study was to describe clinical and laboratory findings at the diagnosis of paediatric non-proliferative MLN, report the outcome and identify predictors of remission.

METHODS

A single-center cohort study of consecutive children diagnosed with non-proliferative MLN was performed. Clinical and laboratory measures and treatment regimens were obtained in prospective standardized assessments. Renal outcome was measured by renal parameters and steroid requirement. Predictors for remission and time to remission were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 30 children were identified with a median follow-up time 4.1 years. Of 21 patients followed for more than 2 years, 19 (90 %) achieved clinical remission, and 16 (76 %) achieved a state of maintained clinical remission on low-dose prednisone. Three patients developed proliferative nephritis on subsequent renal biopsy. Lower albumin at the time of biopsy was correlated with a lower rate of remission and longer time to remission.

CONCLUSIONS

Among our paediatric patient cohort the outcome of non-proliferative MLN in systemic lupus erythematosus was good. The majority of patients did not require aggressive immunosuppressive treatment to reach a stable disease state on low-dose steroid treatment.

Lupus nephritis: a critical review

Lupus nephritis remains one of the most severe manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis is an important step in identifying more targeted and less toxic therapeutic approaches. Substantial research has helped define the pathogenetic mechanisms of renal manifestations and, in particular, the complex role of type I interferons is increasingly recognized; new insights have been gained into the contribution of immune complexes containing endogenous RNA and DNA in triggering the production of type I interferons by dendritic cells via activation of endosomal toll-like receptors. At the same time, there have been considerable advances in the treatment of lupus nephritis. Corticosteroids have long been the cornerstone of therapy, and the addition of cyclophosphamide has contributed to renal function preservation in patients with severe proliferative glomerulonephritis, though at the cost of serious adverse events. More recently, in an effort to minimize drug toxicity and achieve equal effectiveness, other immunosuppressive agents, including mycophenolate mofetil, have been introduced. Herein, we provide a detailed review of the trials that established the equivalency of these agents in the induction and/or maintenance therapy of lupus nephritis, culminating in the recent publication of new treatment guidelines by the American College of Rheumatology. Although newer biologics have been approved and continue to be a focus of research, they have, for the most part, been relatively disappointing compared to the effectiveness of biologics in other autoimmune diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for renal preservation.

Pilot 24 month study to compare mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus in the treatment of membranous lupus nephritis with nephrotic syndrome

AIM

This pilot study compared mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus (Tac) in the treatment of severe membranous lupus nephritis (MLN).

METHOD

This was a 24 month prospective, randomized, open-label multi-centre exploratory study on Chinese patients with biopsy-proven pure Class V MLN with nephrotic syndrome. Patients were randomized to treatment with either MMF or Tac, both in combination with prednisolone and the efficacy and tolerability outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were included, seven in the MMF and nine in the Tac treatment arm. At 24 months the complete response, partial response and overall response rates were 57.1% vs. 11.1% (P = 0.049), 14.3% vs. 44.4% (P = 0.197) and 71.4% vs. 55.6% (P = 0.515) in the MMF and Tac groups, respectively. The two groups had similar reduction of proteinuria and longitudinal profiles of serum albumin and creatinine levels. Serum creatinine remained stable in both groups, except in two patients who had a transient increase associated with high Tac blood levels. Adverse events in the MMF group included herpes zoster in one patient and reversible leucopenia in another, while in the Tac group four patients had severe infections and one developed new onset diabetes. No relapse occurred during the study period.

CONCLUSION

Both MMF and Tac when combined with corticosteroids are effective treatment options for severe MLN.

Membranous nephropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: long-term outcome and prognostic factors of 103 patients

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, course, outcome, and prognostic indicators in lupus membranous nephritis (LMN) and to compare data of "pure" LMN vs "mixed" forms.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined medical records and kidney biopsies of 103 patients with a diagnosis of LMN.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients had "pure" LMN and 36 had "mixed" forms. Patients with mixed LMN had more frequent nephrotic syndrome (66.6 vs 44.7%, P = 0.05), low C3 (83.3 vs 62.6%, P = 0.05) and C4 (80.5 vs 52.2%, P = 0.005), anti-DNA positivity (86.0 vs 62.6%, P = 0.03), and a tendency toward a lower creatinine clearance (93 ± 29 vs 112 ± 50 mL/min, P = 0.07). Moreover, mixed membranous nephritis had a higher activity and chronicity index (6.5 ± 2.1 vs 1.4 ± 2.03, P = 0.005 and 2.4 ± 1.7 vs 1.4 ± 1.8, P = 0.0001, respectively). Methylprednisolone pulses and immunosuppressive therapy were more often used in patients with mixed forms (86.1 vs 60.6%, P = 0.016 and 83.3 vs 57.5%, P = 0.008, respectively). After a mean follow-up of 156.5 ± 104.5 months, there was no difference in the 2 subgroups concerning the number of patients achieving remission and patient/renal survival (94.5 vs 94.0% and 85.8 vs 86% at 10 years). At multivariate analysis, serum creatinine at presentation (P = 0.0013), chronicity index (P = 0.007), failure of achieving remission (P = 0.000001), and occurrence of nephritic flares (P = 0.00167) were independent predictors of chronic renal insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the differences in clinical and histological presentation, a therapy tailored on the grounds of clinical and histological features may reduce the differences in the outcome of white patients with mixed and pure membranous nephritis.

Mycophenolate mofetil and intravenous cyclophosphamide are similar as induction therapy for class V lupus nephritis

Class V lupus nephritis (LN) occurs in one-fifth of biopsy-proven cases of systemic lupus erythematosus. To study the effectiveness of treatments in this group of patients, we pooled analysis of two large randomized controlled multicenter trials of patients with diverse ethnic and racial background who had pure class V disease. These patients received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVC) as induction therapy for 24 weeks, with percentage change in proteinuria and serum creatinine as end points. Weighted mean differences, pooled odds ratios, and confidence intervals were calculated by using a random-effects model. A total of 84 patients with class V disease were divided into equal groups, each group had comparable entry variables but one received MMF and one received IVC. Within these groups, 33 patients on MMF and 32 patients on IVC completed 24 weeks of treatment. There were no differences between the groups in mean values for the measured end points. Similarly, no difference was found regarding the number of patients who did not complete the study or who died. In patients with nephrotic syndrome, no difference was noted between those treated with MMF and IVC regarding partial remission or change in urine protein. Hence we found that the response to MMF as induction treatment of patients with class V LN appears to be no different from that to IVC.

Membranous lupus nephritis in Chinese children--a case series and review of the literature

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 13 lupus nephritis children with pure membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN; Group A) and ten children with mixed proliferative and membranous nephritis (Group B). The children were identified through a territory-wide survey of patients between 1990 and 2003. All were ethnic Chinese. Age at diagnosis ranged from 3.7 to 18.6 years (Group A) and from 9.6 to 22.1 years (Group B). Female-to-male ratios were 12:1 (Group A) and 9:1 (Group B). Group A patients were more often nephrotic than Group B patients (11/13 vs. 5/10, p = 0.17). The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at presentation was normal in all but two patients (one from each group). For induction, Group B patients consistently received prednisolone and cyclophosphamide; in contrast, the cytotoxic regimens in Group A patients varied from cyclophosphamide (five patients), mycophenolate mofetil (two patients), azathiorpine plus cyclosporine (one patient), and azathioprine alone (one patient). After a median follow-up of 7.6-7.8 years, one Group A patient had died of fulminant lupus. One survivor in Group B had a GFR < 90 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). Proteinuria persisted in five Group A patients and two Group B patients. In conclusion, Group B patients had good prognosis in terms of survival and proteinuria control. The only death occurred in Group A, and five of the 12 survivors in this group had persistent proteinuria. Further studies are needed to define the best treatment for pure lupus MGN.

Predictors of major infections in systemic lupus erythematosus

INTRODUCTION

Infections commonly complicate the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our aim is to investigate the clinical predictors of major infections in patients with SLE.

METHODS

A nested case-control study design was used within the prospective Lupus-Cruces cohort. The endpoints of the study were major infections. Cases were defined as patients with a major infection. Two controls (SLE patients without major infections), matched for time of follow-up until the event and age at diagnosis, were selected for each case. Univariate analysis and logistic regression models were used for the analysis of data.

RESULTS

Two hundred and forty-nine patients (83 cases, 166 controls) were selected. Eighty-three episodes of major infections were analyzed; E. coli, S. aureus, M. tuberculosis and S. pneumoniae being the most frequent isolates. Univariate analysis identified several variables related with infection: lung and renal involvement, at or previous to the study point; leukopenia at the study point; antiphospholipid antibody-positivity and treatment with prednisone within 3 months previous to the study point, and the dose of prednisone received. Treatment with antimalarials, on the other hand, showed a strong inverse association with major infections. Logistic regression models identified treatment with antimalarials (odds ratio (OR) = 0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.02 to 0.18), prednisone dose (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.19) and lung involvement (OR = 4.41, 95% CI = 1.06 to 18.36) as significant and independent predictors of major infections. No significant interactions among these three variables were found. Further adjustment for potential confounders related with antimalarial treatment did not change the results.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of major infections in patients with SLE is mostly influenced by treatment. Prednisone treatment, even at moderate doses, increases the risk, whilst antimalarials have a protective effect.

Membranous nephropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a therapeutic enigma

Renal disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Among the histological classes of lupus nephritis, membranous nephropathy comprises only one-fifth of all cases. Reported survival and rates of end-stage renal disease in membranous lupus nephropathy (MLN) vary considerably, because of substantial heterogeneity among the published studies. The risk of progression from MLN to renal failure is generally reduced in the absence of proliferative lesions, but patients are, nevertheless, at risk of thromboembolic complications. The optimal therapy for MLN remains elusive because of a lack of controlled trials; however, cardiovascular protection and blockade of the renin-angiotensin system should be instituted early in all patients. Mixed membranous and proliferative lupus nephritis should be treated in the same way as pure proliferative lupus nephritis. If MLN is not accompanied by proliferative lesions but is associated with clinically relevant proteinuria, renal insufficiency or failure to respond to supportive therapies, immunosuppressive treatment is indicated. Treatment options include glucocorticoids combined with azathioprine, calcineurin inhibitors or alkylating agents. The efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in MLN remains to be confirmed. Controlled trials to compare existing immunosuppressive agents and experimental modalities such as sirolimus, rituximab and infliximab should be undertaken in the future.

Randomized, controlled trial of prednisone, cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporine in lupus membranous nephropathy

Patients with lupus membranous nephropathy (LMN) are at substantial long-term risk for morbidity and mortality associated with protracted nephrotic syndrome, including ESRD. The optimal treatment for this condition is controversial. Forty-two patients with LMN participated in a randomized, controlled trial to compare adjunctive immunosuppressive drugs with prednisone alone. Adjunctive regimens included either cyclosporine (CsA) for 11 mo or alternate-month intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide (IVCY) for six doses; the control group received alternate-day prednisone alone. Median proteinuria was 5.4 g/d (range 2.7 to 15.4 g/d). We assessed the primary outcome, time to remission of proteinuria during the 12-mo protocol, by univariate survival analysis. At 1 yr, the cumulative probability of remission was 27% with prednisone, 60% with IVCY, and 83% with CsA. Although both IVCY and CsA were more effective than prednisone in inducing remissions of proteinuria, relapse of nephrotic syndrome occurred significantly more often after completion of CsA than after IVCY. By multivariate survival analysis, treatment with prednisone and high-grade proteinuria (>5 g/d) but not race or ethnicity were independently associated with a decreased probability of remission. Adverse effects during the 12-mo protocol included insulin-requiring diabetes (one with prednisone and two with CsA), pneumonia (one with prednisone and two with CsA), and localized herpes zoster (two with IVCY). In conclusion, regimens containing CsA or IVCY are each more effective than prednisone alone in inducing remission of proteinuria among patients with LMN.

Tacrolimus for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus with pure class V nephritis

OBJECTIVES

The treatment of pure membranous (class V) lupus nephropathy remains unsatisfactory. We studied the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in the treatment of membranous nephritis secondary to SLE.

METHODS

We recruited 18 consecutive SLE patients (tacrolimus group) with recently confirmed biopsy-proven class V lupus nephritis. They were treated with a tailing dose of oral prednisolone and tacrolimus 0.1-0.2 mg/kg/day for 6 months, followed by maintenance prednisolone and AZA. The rate of resolution of proteinuria and SLEDAI were compared with 19 historical controls treated with oral cyclophosphamide or AZA (control group). All patients were followed for 12 months.

RESULTS

Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. For the tacrolimus group, the complete and partial remission rates were 27.8 and 50.0%, respectively at 12 weeks; for the control group, they were 15.8 and 47.4%, respectively (overall chi-square test, P = 0.5). However, tacrolimus group had faster resolution of proteinuria than the control group by the general linear model with repeated measures (P = 0.032). At 12 weeks, proteinuria was reduced by 76.2 +/- 17.0% for the tacrolimus group and 47.1 +/- 51.1% for the control group (P = 0.028). Serial change in renal function and SLEDAI score did not differ between the groups. During the study period, four patients of the tacrolimus group, and 11 of the control group, developed lupus flare (P = 0.027). There was no serious adverse effect in the tacrolimus group.

CONCLUSIONS

A 6-month course of tacrolimus is a safe and effective treatment of pure class V (membranous) lupus nephritis. As compared with conventional cytotoxic treatment, tacrolimus possibly results in a faster resolution of proteinuria, and a lower risk of lupus flare within 1 yr. The long-term effect and optimal regimen of tacrolimus require further study.

Pharmacotherapy of lupus nephritis: time for a consensus?

BACKGROUND

The optimal therapy for lupus nephritis has been the subject of considerable debate.

OBJECTIVE

To provide evidence- and expert-based recommendations.

METHODS

To review the literature and the European League Against Rheumatism recommendations.

RESULTS

Risk stratification based on histological, demographical, clinical and laboratory characteristics allows the identification of patients at high risk for loss of renal function, and thus more likely to benefit from more aggressive therapy. Achieving remission within the first months of treatment, irrespective of the agent used, correlates with good long-term renal outcomes; maintenance of remission can be achieved with less toxic therapies. Aggressive management of atherosclerosis risk factors and renoprotective therapy for those patients with chronic renal disease improve long-term survival and prognosis.

Mycophenolate mofetil as the primary treatment of membranous lupus nephritis with and without concurrent proliferative disease: a retrospective study of 29 cases

Studies of immunosuppressive therapy, particularly mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), in membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) are limited. We report on our experience with primary (first-line) MMF therapy to induce and sustain renal remission in MLN with and without a concurrent proliferative lesion. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients were studied, retrospectively, if treated with MMF for newly diagnosed MLN. Complete remission was defined as proteinuria less than 0.5 g/24 h, inactive urine sediment and normal estimated glomerular filtration rate. Response in pure MLN (Group I, n=10) was compared with mixed MLN and proliferative lupus nephritis (Group II, n=19). By 12 months, 4 (40%) patients in Group I and 7 (36.8%) in Group II achieved complete remission (P=0.87). One (10%) patient in Group I and 2 (10.5%) in Group II had worsening renal disease (P=0.97). Mean time to remission was more than seven months in both groups. The remaining patients had stable disease without improvement or worsening. Only 2 of 11 achieving initial remission had a relapse with an average of 28 months of follow-up after remission. Self-limited gastrointestinal symptoms occurred in 12 patients, none requiring withdrawal of the drug. Mycophenolate mofetil as a primary therapy in MLN was successful in inducing complete remission in about 40% of MLN, particularly in patients with mild proteinuria. However, 12 months of therapy was necessary for best outcomes. Response rate was not different in the presence or absence of a proliferative lesion.

[Lupus membranous nephropathy]

The systemic lupus erythematosus associated renal hystopathological complexity and its clinical translation, are still a diagnostic challenge with therapeutical implications which, however, include new options in the last few years within the immunosupression compass. The new insights elicited by research work attempt to give some light on renal biopsy performance, its relationship with the arrogated clinical spectrum, its prognosis and on the lupus nephropathy new treatments currently under ongoing clinical trials, some of them showing encouraging results. The lupus membranous nephropathy, recognized as an anatomopathological entity more than 4 decades ago, means a specific pattern in the whole renal lupus histologycal range and, in many aspects, an etiopathogenic enigma.

A pilot study on tacrolimus treatment in membranous or quiescent lupus nephritis with proteinuria resistant to angiotensin inhibition or blockade

Persistent proteinuria in patients with quiescent lupus can result from membranous lupus nephritis and/or glomerular scarring following previous flares. This pilot study examined the effects of tacrolimus over two years in six patients with membranous/inactive lupus nephritis and persistent proteinuria despite angiotensin inhibition/blockade. Tacrolimus treatment reduced proteinuria and increased serum albumin (time effect, P = 0.047 and 0.032 respectively). Compared with baseline levels, proteinuria improved by more than 50% in five patients (83.3%) and hypoalbuminaemia was corrected in four patients. The efficacy was most prominent in four patients with biopsy-proven membranous lupus nephritis, whose protienuria improved by over 80%. One patient developed biopsy-proven chronic nephrotoxicity after 10 months of tacrolimus treatment, despite non-excessive blood levels. These data suggest that tacrolimus is an effective treatment for proteinuria due to membranous lupus nephritis, but should probably be reserved for patients who are refractory to other non-nephrotoxic treatments, in view of the potential risk of subclinical nephrotoxicity.

Update on the treatment of lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Although the use of aggressive immunosuppression has improved both patient and renal survival over the past several decades, the optimal treatment of LN remains challenging. Improved outcomes have come at the expense of significant adverse effects owing to therapy. Moreover with long-term survival, the chronic adverse effects of effective therapies including risk of malignancy, atherosclerosis, infertility, and bone disease all become more important. Finally, some patients fail to achieve remission with standard cytotoxic therapy and others relapse when therapy is reduced. For these reasons, recent clinical trials have attempted to define alternate treatment protocols that appear to be efficacious in achieving and maintaining remission, but with less toxicity than standard regimens. This paper discusses established and newer treatment options for patients with proliferative and membranous LN, with an emphasis on the results of these recent clinical trials. We also review the experimental and human data regarding some of the novel targeted forms of therapy that are under investigation and in different phases of clinical trials.

Therapeutic options for resistant lupus nephritis

OBJECTIVES

To summarize the therapeutic options for proliferative and membranous lupus nephritis that is resistant to conventional treatment.

METHODS

Treatment trials in human lupus nephritis from years 1985 to 2005 that have been published in the English literature were searched by Medline using the keywords "lupus," "nephritis," "glomerulonephritis," "renal," "refractory," "resistant," "recalcitrant," "cyclophosphamide," "mycophenolate," "cyclosporin," "tacrolimus," "leflunomide," "intravenous immunoglobulin," "apheresis," "plasmapheresis," "immunoadsorption," "marrow transplantation," "stem cell transplantation," "immunoablative," "rituximab," and "biologics." Laboratory, histological, and nonrenal lupus studies were excluded.

RESULTS

There is no universal definition of treatment resistance in lupus nephritis. Controlled trials in refractory lupus nephritis are largely unavailable. Open-labeled studies have reported success of newer immunosuppressive drugs, immunomodulatory therapies, and the biological agents such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), calcineurin inhibitors, leflunomide, intravenous immunoglobulin, immunoadsorption, and rituximab in the treatment of cyclophosphamide (CYC) resistant proliferative lupus nephritis. More aggressive CYC regimens have been used in lupus nephritis, but at the expense of more toxicities. For membranous lupus nephritis (MLN), a combination of corticosteroids with either azathioprine, chlorambucil, cyclosporin A, MMF, or CYC is initially effective in two-thirds of patients. More aggressive and costly regimens should be reserved for truly refractory disease with persistent nephrotic syndrome or declining renal function. Evidence regarding the efficacy of MMF in refractory MLN is conflicting and controlled trials are necessary to resolve the controversy.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of refractory lupus nephritis remains anecdotal. An international consensus in the renal response criteria should be developed and validated so that controlled trials can be performed to compare the efficacy of various treatment modalities.

Mycophenolate mofetil is effective in reducing lupus glomerulonephritis proteinuria

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) significantly reduces proteinuria in experimental model of human membranous nephropathy (Heymann nephritis). Twenty consecutive SLE patients with persistent isolated severe proteinuria and/or proteinuric flare were studied for 18 months of MMF therapy. All of them presented stable renal function and 12 had biopsy proven membranous glomerulonephritis (WHO class V). The starting daily dose for MMF was 1.5 g to a maximum of 3 g. Patients were divided into: partial response, >or=50% decrease of baseline proteinuria; complete response, normal proteinuria levels (less than 0.3 g/24 h); flare, increase of at least 50% of the mean baseline proteinuria. All 20 SLE patients (100%) presented a 50% reduction of baseline proteinuria which was achieved in 8.2+/-3.3 months of MMF therapy, at a mean daily dose of 2.3+/-0.5 g. A significant decrease in 24-h protein excretion was observed compared to entry (3.47+/-1.26 vs. 1.33+/-0.67 g, P<0.0001) as well as a correspondent increase of serum albumin (3.2+/-0.4 vs. 3.7+/-0.4 mg/dl, P=0.02) and reduction of prednisone dose (33.7+/-20.0 to 18.6+/-14.1 mg/day, P=0.01). Complete response was observed in 11 SLE patients (55%) in 12.2+/-3.0 months of therapy with a significant decrease in proteinuria (P<0.0001), prednisone dose (P<0.0001) and an increase of serum albumin (P=0.003). Interestingly, initial proteinuria or serum albumin levels did not identify patients with complete response and those with partial response at the end of the study (P=0.543 and 0.657, respectively). Our pilot prospective study suggests that MMF appears to be effective in reducing severe persistent proteinuria in lupus glomerulonephritis, even in patients unresponsive to other immunosuppressive treatments.

Emergence of targeted immune therapies for systemic lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypical autoimmune disease, characterised by flares of rampant inflammation that can threaten, in an unpredictable manner, almost any organ in the body. Current standard of care is largely empiric, involving the use of corticosteroids and toxic immune suppressive agents that are widely acknowledged to have unacceptable side effects for long-term use. Recently, there have been significant advances in understanding the nature of some fundamental immune imbalances underlying the complicated clinical manifestations of SLE. Nevertheless attempts to develop and test more targeted, and potentially safer immune-modulating drugs for lupus have encountered significant obstacles, due to the lack of validated biological markers for disease flare and remission, and difficulties in the clinical assessment of the heterogeneous patients. In support of renewed interest in drug development for lupus, large collaborative groups have formed, and efforts are underway to develop objective biomarkers for SLE as well as to improve the standardisation and reproducibility of clinical outcome measures in multi-centre trials.

Treatment for lupus nephritis: a revisit

The optimal treatment of severe lupus nephritis remains unclear. Regimens consisting of steroid and cyclophosphamide (CYC) appear to be most effective. Infection and gonadal toxicity is a major concern of CYC use in patients of reproductive age. In addition, failure to respond or refractory to CYC treatment may lead to the development of end-stage renal disease. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a new immunosuppressive agent that selectively inhibits activated lymphocytes and renal mesangial cells. Data from experimental lupus nephritis and controlled studies, albeit small and lacking statistical power, have revealed that MMF is as effective in lupus patients as CYC in the induction of renal remission or as maintenance therapy to reduce renal flare in the short term. The significantly less ovarian toxicity and infection when compared to CYC are particularly attractive for the consideration of MMF in lupus nephritis. The potential of other new therapeutic agents is discussed together with the need for patient recruitment in future trials of lupus nephritis to address the importance of ethnicity as well as histological grading.

Membranous lupus nephritis

Membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) represents about 20% of clinically significant renal disease in lupus. Few studies have addressed directly the pathogenesis of MLN. Our assumptions about the underlying mechanisms are based on the combination of extrapolations from idiopathic membranous nephritis (mainly from animal models) and proliferative lupus nephritis. Natural history studies of MLN suggest a relatively low rate of progression to end-stage renal disease but a high rate of significant comorbidities. Historical changes in the criteria for pathologic diagnosis and classification of membranous lupus nephropathy have precluded definitive descriptions of the natural history, prognosis and treatment of this disorder. Patients with membranous lupus nephropathy should be treated early with angiotensin antagonists to minimize proteinuria, as well as lifestyle changes and appropriate drugs to reduce attendant cardiovascular risk factors. In patients with protracted nephrotic syndrome, consideration should be given to immunosuppressive therapies, including corticosteroids, cyclosporine, mycophenolate and cyclophosphamide. Prospective controlled trials are clearly needed in order to establish solid clinical practice guidelines for use of these drugs and other experimental therapies currently under study in membranous lupus nephropathy.

Challenges in bringing the bench to bedside in drug development for sle

It is now widely accepted that the current standard of care for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is inadequate. There has not been a new medication approved for this disease in thirty years. Attempts to develop and test new drugs have been ongoing since the mid-1990s, but have encountered formidable obstacles. Current models for lupus pathogenesis have provided a theoretical framework for understanding how heterogeneous genetic defects might combine in various ways to increase susceptibility to SLE in different individuals, and could have important implications for new drug development. With the current burst of drug discovery and increased public awareness of SLE, the impetus to overcome these obstacles has never been greater.

Treatment of pure membranous lupus nephropathy with prednisone and azathioprine: an open-label trial

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to report the outcome of pure membranous lupus nephropathy treated with prednisone and azathioprine (AZA).

METHODS

Consecutive patients with pure membranous lupus glomerulonephritis (World Health Organization [WHO] Va and Vb) from 4 regional hospitals were recruited for an open-label treatment trial consisting of prednisone and AZA. Remission status was evaluated at 12 months. Maintenance treatment with low-dose prednisone and AZA was continued indefinitely for those who achieved remission. Factors predictive of initial renal remission and subsequent relapse were studied by statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients (31 women and 7 men) were studied. The mean age was 35.0 +/- 9.2 years, and the duration of systemic lupus erythematosus was 48.5 +/- 59 months. Seventeen (45%) patients had WHO class Va lupus nephritis, whereas 21 (55%) had class Vb disease. Two patients withdrew from the protocol because of idiosyncratic reactions to AZA. At 12 months, 24 (67%) patients achieved complete remission (CR), 8 (22%) achieved partial remission (PR), and 4 (11%) were treatment resistant. Patients who achieved CR or PR were maintained on low-dose prednisone and AZA. Over a mean follow-up period of 90.4 +/- 59 months, 6 (19%) patients had relapse of nephritis (proteinuric flare in 4 and nephritic flare in 2). The cumulative risk of renal relapse was 12% at 36 months and 16% at 60 months. No particular clinical variables were found to predict renal remission or relapses. Over a mean follow-up of 90 months, 13% of patients had decline of creatinine clearance by 20%, but none had doubling of serum creatinine. Renal outcome was not significantly worse in patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome. Treatment generally was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

A combination of prednisone and AZA is reasonably effective for the initial treatment of pure membranous lupus nephritis. Severe adverse effects are uncommon. The additional efficacy of AZA in comparison with prednisone alone has to be confirmed with randomized, controlled trials.

How to manage patients with lupus nephritis

The clinical and renal biopsy predictors of assistance in determining therapy are reviewed. While pulse cyclophosphamide remains the most effective treatment for proliferative nephritis, there is increasing interest in other agents, such as azathioprine, particularly to maintain remission. While lupus membranous nephropathy has attracted limited study, preliminary work suggests a role for cyclophosphamide. Newer therapies, including cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil, immunoadsorption, intravenous immune globulin, LJP-394, high-dose immunoablation and nucleoside analogues require further study but offer hope for those failing conventional treatments.

Outcome and prognostic indicators of diffuse proliferative lupus glomerulonephritis treated with sequential oral cyclophosphamide and azathioprine

OBJECTIVE

To study the outcome and prognostic indicators of diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with sequential oral cyclophosphamide (CYC) and azathioprine (AZA).

METHODS

SLE patients with biopsy-proven DPGN treated with sequential oral CYC and AZA were studied. Those who achieved renal remission at 12 months were identified, and the clinical predictors of complete remission were evaluated by regression analysis. All patients were followed up until a relapse of the nephritis or a doubling of the serum creatinine level occurred. The timing and risk factors for flares and creatinine doubling were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and with the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

We studied 55 patients (47 women, 8 men; mean +/- SD age at renal biopsy 31.1 +/- 10.4 years); 25 (46%) had a serum creatinine level >106 micromoles/liter, and 29 (53%) had nephrotic syndrome. At 12 months posttreatment, 37 (67%) had complete remission and 12 (22%) had partial remission. The initial serum creatinine level was an independent predictor of complete remission. Excluding the 4 patients who were treatment- resistant or died, 21 patients (41%) had renal flares during a median followup of 4 years. The cumulative risk of renal flare was 6% at 1 year, 21% at 3 years, and 32% at 5 years. The median time to relapse was 43 months. The histologic activity score and the mean daily dose of CYC were multivariate predictors of renal flare, by Cox regression. At the last followup visit, 9 of 54 patients (17%) had a doubling of the creatinine level, 6 of whom (11%) underwent dialysis. The cumulative risk of creatinine doubling was 8.4% at 5 years and 18.2% at 10 years. An increasing chronicity index at the time of initial renal biopsy was an independent predictor of deterioration in renal function.

CONCLUSION

Sequential therapy with oral CYC followed by AZA appears to be an effective treatment regimen for DPGN in patients with SLE, with 89% of patients achieving complete or partial remission at 12 months, 62.8% remaining in remission after 5 years, and 81.8% having stable renal function after 10 years. Predictors of treatment resistance and relapse include increasing serum creatinine level, higher histologic activity scores, and a lower dose of CYC. Increasing chronicity indices predict a deterioration of renal function.

Correlation between the expression of DNA topoisomerases I and IIalpha and clinical parameters in kidney disease

Multiple factors interact during the evolution of renal diseases. In the present study, we examined the expression of DNA topoisomerases type I and IIalpha, which reflect gene transcription and DNA replication, respectively. Enzyme content was assessed by immunohistochemistry using two specific monoclonal antibodies, C21 and Ki-S4, on 81 archival punch-biopsy specimens from patients with renal diseases, including minimal change disease (MCD; n = 10), focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS; n = 6), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN; n = 11), membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN; n = 10), mesangial capillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN; n = 7), rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN; n = 12), lupus nephritis (LN; n = 15), and tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN; n = 10). Both enzymes were strongly expressed in diseases tending to rapid progression, notably RPGN and LN, whereas MCD and MGN showed low protein levels in both the glomerular and tubular compartments. Moreover, topoisomerase expression was significantly associated with the density of monocytogenic infiltrates (monitored by means of the monoclonal antibody Ki-M1p), such pathogenesis-associated factors as antinuclear antibodies and paranuclear antineutrophilic antibodies, and serum immunoglobulin levels. There also was a positive correlation with serum creatinine levels and an inverse association with proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome. We conclude that the expression of DNA topoisomerases may be linked to pathogenetic mechanisms and may provide prognostic information. Because of their comparatively low nephrotoxicity, topoisomerase inhibitors might prove to be useful therapeutic agents in the treatment of renal diseases.

Azathioprine therapy for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Azathioprine is the only purine analog that is widely used for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For SLE patients without renal involvement, it is given to those patients who require a maintenance dose of 15 mg or higher of prednisone and for those who experience recurrent flares. Azathioprine in combination with steroids may be given to a large number of patients with lupus nephritis. It is also effective for patients with skin lesions, pneumonitis, thrombocytopenia or hemolytic anemia. Azathioprine may be used during pregnancy but not during lactation. It has not been shown to increase the risk for the development of malignancies among patients with SLE.

Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus

The treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is mainly based on a number of "traditional" drugs such as corticosteroids, antimalarials, azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. However, this scenario is rapidly changing due to the introduction of new compounds. Some of these new agents have been successfully used in other diseases, while others are being specifically designed to interfere with the immune abnormalities seen in SLE. As our knowledge on the mechanisms of immune response increases, new drugs that can interfere with T and B cell interaction and activation, production of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies, immune-complexes deposition and cytokine activation have been developed and some of these are now under investigation in SLE. Although initial data regarding their safety and efficacy are encouraging, caution must be taken before these drugs are considered as the treatment of choice for specific SLE manifestations. Specifically, controlled clinical trials with sufficient number of patients are necessary. If the promising results already available are confirmed, the use of these drugs might represent the keystone in the future management of SLE and other autoimmune diseases.