Tacrolimus Found to be an Effective Long-Term Treatment for Lupus Nephritis in Japan
A new study out of Japan explored the long-term safety and efficacy of tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive drug that blocks T-cell activation and suppresses autoantibody production, in people with lupus nephritis (LN). Researchers found the therapy effective and generally well-tolerated as a maintenance treatment after 10 years of use.
The study followed a group 1,355 people with LN who received maintenance treatment with tacrolimus. Researchers found that tacrolimus was well-tolerated and effective with almost half of the study participants (49.3%) who continued treatment for the full 10-year study period. Infections were the most common adverse reaction observed, which occurred in 28.8% of study participants, with 12.2% reaching renal failure, and 4.5% needing dialysis. However, the overall participant survival rate was 96.5%. Additionally, researchers observed a reduction in corticosteroid dosage over the course of the study period, showcasing the steroid sparing effects of the treatment, and renal function was found to be well-maintained over time.
Learn more about treatments being studied for lupus.
Interested in getting research like this straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our bimonthly Inside Lupus Research email for all the latest.