Mycophenolate mofetil in lupus nephritis: year results of a multicenter in Northern China

Aim: To investigate the effect and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of lupus nephritis(LN). Methods:A total of 91 patients of LN were enrolled in the study, and twenty patients were determined as type Ⅲ LN, and 47 patients as type Ⅳ LN according to renal biopsy. Combined use of cyclophosphamide and prednisone or MMF and prednisone was employed, and the patients were allocated into CYC group and MMF group accordingly. The duration of the therapy was 6 months. Changes of urine, renal function, index of immune system, and adverse effect were studied. Results:①The efficacy of MMF: levels of urine protein in MMF group in 24 hour were markedly lower than that of pretreatment and CYC group; the number of patients with 50% decline of urine erythrocyte was 59 cases, which was significantly higher than that of CYC group.MMF significantly decreased the level of serum BUN and cretinine;②the effect of MMF on immune system: MMF therapy decreased the level of IgG and increased the levels of C 3 and C 4.After 12 weeks' therapy, the positive patients of anti ds DNA antibody were markedly lower than that of CYC. ③Adverse effects of MMF: main adverse effects of MMF were infection and syndrome of digestive system. Conclusion: MMF is safe and effective for treatment of LN specially for type Ⅲ and Ⅳ LN.