RESEARCH - Two drugs comparable for lupus nephritis induction treatment

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Two Drugs Comparable for Lupus Nephritis Induction Treatment

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) 27 Apr 2009 - Mycophenolate mofetil and

intravenous cyclophosphamide are both safe and effective as induction

treatment for lupus nephritis, according to a report in the April 15th

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

" The evidence generated by (this study) clearly demonstrates that

mycophenolate mofetil exerts a clinical effect on patients with lupus

nephritis, " Dr. Neil s from Aspreva International Ltd.,

, British Columbia in Canada told Reuters Health.

" Additionally, the response to mycophenolate mofetil appears to be

more consistent across ethnic groups when compared to intravenous

cyclophosphamide. "

Dr. s and colleagues in the Aspreva Lupus Management Study

(ALMS) group compared mycophenolate mofetil with intravenous

cyclophosphamide, both used with corticosteroids, for the induction

treatment of 370 patients with active classes III, IV, and V lupus

nephritis. The trial had a start date of June 2005 with an expected

completion date of June 2009, and was sponsored by Aspreva's parent

company Hoffman-La Roche.

" The ALMS trial was at that time the largest in lupus nephritis yet

undertaken, " Dr. s said. " It was designed to establish

superiority of mycophenolate mofetil over intravenous

cyclophosphamide. "

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/701986

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