title: Intravenous cyclophosphamide--resistant systemic lupus erythematosus in Arizona.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) tends to be severe and to have a variable response in childhood. We undertook this retrospective study to assess response rates and outcome in 14 children with SLE. Mean age at onset was 12.8+/-3.1 years. Ten patients were female and 4 were male, and 12 patients (86%) were Hispanic. Creatinine clearance prior to therapy was 104+/-36 ml/min. All had hematuria and proteinuria with a protein/creatinine ratio of 3.9+/-4.8. WHO classification of renal biopsies revealed class IV in 64%, class III in 21%, and class V in 14%. Patients were treated with 6-monthly pulses of intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCY) followed by longer-duration pulses. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.7+/-3.3 years. Of the 14 patients, 3 (21%) achieved systemic remission but all relapsed subsequently; 7 of 14 achieved renal remission, although 6 relapsed. Six (42%) had adverse outcomes, defined by death, dialysis, or need for bone marrow transplant. All 6 had failed 6 months of IVCY, suggesting that patients who demonstrate resistance to initial IVCY therapy have an unfavorable outcome and a high likelihood of complications. In summary, we report a poor response to standard therapeutic protocols with higher relapse rates, as well as significant adverse outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Steele Memorial Research Center, University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, PO Box 245073, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. mdixit@peds.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Mehul P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dixit
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bracamonte
authors.forename: Naznin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dixit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001130:Arizona; D002648:Child; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide