Successful treatment of a mycophenolate mofetil-refractory proliferative lupus nephritis with Belimumab in a 19-year-old woman

Lupus. 2013 Dec;22(14):1523-5. doi: 10.1177/0961203313504145. Epub 2013 Sep 6.

Abstract

We report the case of a 19-year-old woman with progressive proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) class III after induction and maintenance therapy with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Despite a satisfying clinical improvement proteinuria progressed under this medication. We treated the patient with additional belimumab after discussing other options. Following treatment with belimumab, proteinuria rapidly improved to almost normal levels and clinical remission lasted. Belimumab might hold promise for this indication.

Keywords: Proliferative lupus nephritis; belimumab; mycophenolate mofetil; systemic lupus erythematosus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Lupus Nephritis / drug therapy*
  • Lupus Nephritis / physiopathology
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Proteinuria / drug therapy
  • Proteinuria / etiology
  • Remission Induction
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • belimumab
  • Mycophenolic Acid