Current concepts in management of lupus nephritis.
Since prognosis seems to vary according to which of several possible types of disease is present, the first step is renal biopsy and histologic classification. Management options thereafter-both conventional (steroid therapy) and investigational (cytotoxic agents plus steroids, thymic hormone replacement, steroid "pulse" therapy)-are discussed in terms of recent clincal results and theoretical mechanisms of action.
D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D009393:Nephritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013947:Thymosin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013947:Thymosin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone