MMF Superior For Crescentric Lupus Nephritis, Data Show

(Nephrology. 2008; published online ahead of print)

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is more effective as induction therapy than cyclophosphamide (CTX) in patients with crescentric lupus nephritis, Chinese investigators report.

Researchers at Nanjing University in Nanjing studied 52 patients: 27 treated with MMF and 25 treated with CTX. The two groups had similar clinicopathological findings and other characteristics. At 12 months, the total remission rate in the MMF and CTX groups were 73.1% and 69.6%, respectively.

Complete remission occurred in 53.8% of the MMF group, which was significantly higher than the 26.1% rate in the CTX arm. The relapse rate was 10.5% in the MMF group compared with 43.8% among CTX recipients, a significant difference between groups.

From the November 01, 2008 Issue of Renal and Urology News