The Efficacy of Induction Treatment with a Cyclophosphamide- or Mycophenolate Mofetil-Based Regimen for Active Lupus Nephritis in Thailand: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Treating lupus nephritis is vital to reducing morbidity and mortality. In Thailand, comparative data on intravenous cyclophosphamide- and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-based induction therapies are limited. This study assessed renal remission outcomes for these regimens.

Methods: We analyzed renal and patient outcomes in 89 individuals with biopsy-proven active lupus nephritis treated at Phramongkutklao Hospital between 2020 and 2023. Among the cohort, 55 patients received a cyclophosphamide regimen, and 34 were treated with an MMF regimen.

Results: Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the two groups, except for higher hematuria and renal activity index, as well as lower C3 complement levels and renal chronicity in the cyclophosphamide group. The average doses administered were 0.55 ± 0.12 g/m² per dose for intravenous cyclophosphamide and 2.15 ± 0.31 g/day for MMF. By the 24th week, the overall remission rate (complete and partial remission) was 81.8% (45 patients) in the cyclophosphamide group and 85.3% (29 patients) in the MMF group (relative risk 1.01, 95% CI 0.82-1.23, p = 0.949). Proteinuria reduction from baseline at the 24th week was -54.1 ± 93.3% in the cyclophosphamide group and -69.4 ± 22.2% in the MMF group (relative risk 1.01, 95% CI 0.99-1.01, p = 0.465). Adverse events were similar across the two regimens. However, 1 patient in the cyclophosphamide group died, and three required dialysis.

Conclusion: Induction therapy with cyclophosphamide- and MMF-based regimens demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety in achieving renal remission in patients with active lupus nephritis.