title: Treatment of lupus nephritis by mycophenolate mofetil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been increasingly used for the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of MMF used with low doses of corticosteroids as maintenance therapy in patients with LN.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study covered 35 patients, most of them with proliferative types of LN (5 WHO class III, 26 class IV), while 1 had class V and 3 class VI nephritis. MMF was administered in the dose of 1.5-2 g/24 h and prednisone at 10-20 mg/day. The treatment effects were followed over a 12-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 3 months of therapy significant reduction in proteinuria was achieved (2.1 +/- 2.4 g/24 h vs. 1.0 +/- 1.0 g/24 h, p < 0.01) and maintained to the end of the study. In parallel, a significant rise in serum albumin, a fall of cholesterol and a significant increase in mean glomerular filtration rate were noted. Complete remission was achieved in 16 patients (45.7%), including all patients in class III and V plus 10 patients in class IV. Not a single adverse effect was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMF combined with low doses of steroids is an effective and safe treatment for the maintenance of stable remission of LN.
authors.affiliation: Clinics of Nephrology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia. violetarabrenovic@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Violeta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rabrenović
authors.forename: Mileta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poskurica
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kovacević
authors.forename: Vidosava
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nesić
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savin
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mitić
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dimković
authors.forename: Cedomir
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cucković
authors.forename: Danica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vujić
authors.forename: Steva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pljesa
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perunicić-Peković
authors.forename: Slobodan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curić
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mitić
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ratković
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marinković
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jovanović
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid