The kidney biopsy advanced our understanding of kidney disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. It allowed for better recognition and classification of lupus nephritis (LN). Several LN classifications have been devised in an effort to inform treatment decision and predict prognosis, and these are being further updated. In this review, we will examine the role of diagnostic as well as repeat kidney biopsy in the management of LN, including the potential role of molecular interrogation as a step forward beyond conventional histology to guide the discovery of novel biomarkers and a precision medicine approach to the management of LN.
Keywords: Histology; Kidney biopsy; Lupus nephritis; Molecular pathology; Systemic lupus erythematosus.
Copyright © 2019 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.