Efficacy of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in patients with active lupus nephritis.
BACKGROUND
The ideal treatment of lupus nephritis has yet to be defined. Both cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil have been used with encouraging results, but adverse events are frequently seen. There are no data on the use of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients with active forms of lupus nephritis (1 class III, 7 class IV and 4 class V) treated with enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium combined with corticosteroids.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 32.3 +/- 11.2 years and the average length of follow up was 25.9 +/- 8.9 months. The mean serum creatinine clearance was 93 +/- 30.1 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) and the mean proteinuria level was 4.5 +/- 3.6 g/day. All had features that warranted aggressive treatment. Mycophenolate sodium was given for 12.9 +/- 9.7 months with an averaged starting dose of 1350 +/- 163 mg/day. Six patients attained complete remission and six attained partial remission with treatment. The mean interval to attain first remission (complete or partial) was 8.3 +/- 5.7 weeks. At last follow up, all patients were in complete or partial remission. Apart from herpes zoster that developed in one patient, no other significant side-effects were encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium was effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of active lupus nephritis.
Mak
Siu-Ka
SK
Renal Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong. maksk@ha.org.hk
Lo
Kin-Yee
KY
Lo
Man-Wai
MW
Chan
Shuk-Fan
SF
Tong
Gensy M W
GM
Wong
Ping-Nam
PN
Wong
Andrew K M
AK
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid