MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL THERAPY FOR LUPUS NEPHRITIS REFRACTORY TO INTRAVENOUS CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE

intravenous (IV) cyclophosphamide has been the treatment of choice for diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) in patients with syst emic lupus erythematosus (SLE), However, there is little guidance in t he medical literature about what to do when this therapy fails. Mycoph enolate mofetil (MMF), a new immunosuppressive agent, has been used su ccessfully in patients with solid organ transplants and rheumatoid art hritis. We report two patients with diffuse proliferative glomerulonep hritis who responded favorably to MMF therapy after IV cyclophosphamid e failed. (C) 1998 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.