Current and Emerging Therapy on Lupus Nephritis
Abstract: Lupus nephritis (LN)
is involvement of the kidney in patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
and one of the most common target organ in SLE. The diagnosis of LN will
significantly impact the clinical outcome and therapy of the patient. Therapy
regiment of LN is divided into two stages, induction and maintenance treatment.
The main objective of the induction therapy is to achieve complete or partial
remission as soon as possible since it is correlated with better prognosis and
fewer relapse incidence. In the maintenance stage, the main aim of the therapy
is to maintain the remission status and avoid future relapse. It is also important
to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy as it will affect the duration and
the regiment therapy being used. Corticosteroid, cyclophosphamide,
mycophenolate mofetil, azathrioprine, cyclosporine and tacrolimus are example
of drugs used in LN therapy. Currently, studies are being conducted to evaluate
and develop targeted drug therapy to further add treatment options for LN.
Keywords: Systemic lupus
erythematosus; lupus nephritis; kidney
Author: Lucky Aziza Bawazier
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg170401
