The results of a six-month long clinical study published by renowned UCSF lupus researcher Dr. Maria Dall'Era show that the treatment of lupus nephritis is related to several other factors: such as demographics, body fluids, clinical and standard (non-nephritis specific) lupus treatment. The study shows that the absence of anti-dsDNA antibodies, cyclophosphamide induction are linked to better outcomes whereas the opposite is linked to higher instances of nephritis treatment failure.

Factors associated with an increased likelihood to fail treatment included: having anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies upon trial entry..., inability to reduce anti-dsDNA within an 8-week period ..., and failure to reduce the ratio of urinary protein to creatinine (UP/C) within an 8-week period..., according to Maria Dall'Era, MD, director of the lupus clinic at the University of California San Francisco, and colleagues.

Additionally, induction with cyclophosphamide was found less likely to result in treatment failure (TF) ..., the authors wrote in the May 2015 issue of Lupus Science and Medicine.

Dr. Dall'Era and her team further find:

Treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVC) and antimalarials were both independently associated with reduced risk of TF in the maintenance phase. Patients not treated with antimalarials were more than twice as likely to fail treatment during the maintenance phase

You can read more about the study here. Please be mindful that the research information presented here is not a substitute for medical advice, and only your physician can change your treatment regimen. Please speak to your rheumatologist if you feel that a change in your personal treatment is warranted.