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Home › Conditions › Lupus Nephritis

Lupus Nephritis

Part of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

26 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Lupus Nephritis

22 trials tracked for Lupus Nephritis: 6 in phase 3 or 4 and 3 with published results. The most-cited published study has 646 citations.

22Trials tracked
6Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
3With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 1 Phase 3 5 Phase 2 14 Phase 1 2
  1. Phase 3 Aurinia Renal Response in Active Lupus With Voclosporin Completed · 646 cited
  2. Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety of Belimumab in Patients With Active Lupus Nephritis Completed · 80 cited
  3. Phase 3 Aurinia Renal Assessments 2: Aurinia Renal Response in Lupus With Voclosporin Completed · 33 cited
  4. Phase 4 Cardio Renal Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors Among Lupus Nephritis Patients Completed
  5. Phase 3 A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab in Subjects With International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) 2003 Class III or IV Lupus Nephritis Completed
  6. Phase 3 A Study of Mycophenolate Mofetil (CellCept) in Management of Patients With Lupus Nephritis. Completed
Show 16 more trials
  1. Phase 2 Aurinia Early Urinary Protein Reduction Predicts Response Completed
  2. Phase 2 Abatacept and Cyclophosphamide Combination Therapy for Lupus Nephritis Completed
  3. Phase 2 Phase II Study Assessing Safety and Efficacy of APL-2 in Glomerulopathies Completed
  4. Phase 2 AURA-LV: Aurinia Urinary Protein Reduction Active - Lupus With Voclosporin (AURA-LV) Completed
  5. Phase 2 Rituximab and Belimumab for Lupus Nephritis Completed
  6. Phase 2 A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Obinutuzumab Compared With Placebo in Participants With Lupus Nephritis (LN) Completed
  7. Phase 2 Efficacy and Safety of Enteric-coated Mycophenolate Sodium in Combination With Two Corticosteroid Regimens for the Treatment of Lupus Nephritis Flare Completed
  8. Phase 2 A Study of KZR-616 in Patients With SLE With and Without Lupus Nephritis Completed
  9. Phase 2 Safety and Efficacy of Two Doses of Anifrolumab Compared to Placebo in Adult Subjects With Active Proliferative Lupus Nephritis Completed
  10. Phase 2 A Study of Laquinimod in Participants With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Active Lupus Nephritis Completed
  11. Phase 2 Dose Finding, Efficacy and Safety of BI 655064 in Patients With Active Lupus Nephritis Completed
  12. Phase 2 Safety and Efficacy on Deoxyspergualin (NKT-01) in Patients With Lupus Nephritis Completed
  13. Phase 2 An Exploratory Maintenance Trial of BI 655064 in Patients With Lupus Nephritis Completed
  14. Phase 2 Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Efficacy Study of CFZ533 in Patients With Lupus Nephritis. Completed
  15. Phase 1 Phase I Study in China - Tolerability of a Single Dose of Abatacept 30 mg/kg Completed
  16. Phase 1 Study of EQ001 (Itolizumab) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus With or Without Active Proliferative Nephritis Completed

Showing the 22 most-cited and recently-updated of 22 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found For clinicians

Lupus Nephritis: what the trials found

Voclosporin has demonstrated significant efficacy in improving renal outcomes for patients with Lupus Nephritis. Clinical trials showed a significantly higher number of participants achieving an adjudicated renal response at week 52 compared to placebo 2. Additionally, voclosporin was associated with a significant reduction in the urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) to 0.5 mg/mg or less 2, and demonstrated statistically significant rates for both renal response and partial renal response 4.

Standard therapies and other agents show varying levels of efficacy. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) showed no significant difference in treatment response during the induction phase compared to other cohorts, but demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of patients remaining free from treatment failure during the maintenance phase 5. Rituximab was evaluated for renal outcomes; however, there was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of participants achieving complete or partial renal responses at week 52 6. Safety data for rituximab showed no significant difference in the incidence of grade 3 or higher infectious adverse events across various time points 17.

A trial comparing placebo plus standard therapy against an intervention showed significantly higher rates of primary efficacy renal response (PERR) and complete renal response (CRR) at both week 52 and week 104 3. Dapagliflozin was also evaluated in a Phase 4 study for this condition 1, and voclosporin has been shown to result in the reduction or normalization of UPCR 15.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • APL-2 (Phase 2) 7
  • CFZ533 (Phase 2) showed a non-significant trend in reducing urine protein creatinine ratio 8
  • KZR-616 (Phase 2) safety and tolerability were assessed via subcutaneous injection 9
  • BI 655064 (Phase 2) did not show statistically significant differences in complete renal response or proteinuria reduction compared to other groups [10, 13]
  • Anifrolumab (Phase 2) showed no significant difference in UPCR changes or the proportion of subjects achieving a composite complete renal response 12

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Voclosporin is associated with statistically significant improvements in renal response and reduction of urine protein creatinine ratios compared to placebo [2, 4].
  • Mycophenolate mofetil shows a significant advantage in treatment failure-free rates during the maintenance phase 5.
  • Rituximab did not show a statistically significant difference in achieving complete or partial renal responses at week 52 6.

AI synthesis of 12 cited trials, updated Jun 29, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Review examines glucose metabolic reprogramming in SLE and lupus nephritis pathogenesis
Diabetes & Endocrinology Sys. Review
Review examines glucose metabolic reprogramming in SLE and lupus nephritis pathogenesis Review explores how sugar metabolism changes might fuel lupus immune system problems
A systematic review synthesizes evidence on glucose metabolic reprogramming in immune cells in systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephri…
Lupus immune cells change how they use sugar for energy, a shift that drives the disease and kidney damage, opening doors to new metabolic t…
Frontiers Apr 3, 2026
Phase 3 Trial of Cenerimod for Lupus Nephritis: Efficacy and Safety Evaluation
Rheumatology Phase III
Phase 3 Trial of Cenerimod for Lupus Nephritis: Efficacy and Safety Evaluation Could a New Drug Help Improve Kidney Function in Lupus Patients?
A Phase 3 trial is assessing cenerimod's efficacy and safety in treating active lupus nephritis. The primary endpoint is complete renal resp…
A new trial tests whether adding cenerimod to regular treatment can improve kidney function in adults with active lupus nephritis over 76 we…
CT.gov Mar 27, 2026

Research across Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Related studies from across the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus family.

IL-5/IL-5Rα blockade provides clinically validated benefit in EGPA but requires phenotype-specific evidence for other conditions
Neurology Sys. Review
IL-5/IL-5Rα blockade provides clinically validated benefit in EGPA but requires phenotype-specific evidence for other conditions Targeting Eosinophils Shows Promise for Specific Autoimmune Conditions
This narrative review explores the role of eosinophils and IL-5/IL-5Rα and IL-4Rα blockade in various autoimmune diseases. The authors concl…
New research highlights how targeting specific immune cells like eosinophils can help manage certain inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Frontiers Oct 20, 2026
Telitacicept Shows Satisfactory Response in Complex Overlap Syndrome Case
Neurology Guideline
Telitacicept Shows Satisfactory Response in Complex Overlap Syndrome Case Telitacicept Shows Potential in Rare Overlap Syndrome Case
This is a single case report describing a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, Sjögren's syndrom…
A single case report describes a patient with four autoimmune conditions who responded well to a regimen containing telitacicept.
Frontiers Oct 18, 2026
Arthritis affects 60.68% of SLE patients in Pakistan, with regional and temporal variation
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Arthritis affects 60.68% of SLE patients in Pakistan, with regional and temporal variation More patients with lupus develop arthritis in recent years
This meta-analysis of 10 studies estimates the pooled prevalence of arthritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Pakistan at 6…
A new look at data shows that over 60% of lupus patients in Pakistan have arthritis, with rates rising in more recent studies.
Oct 7, 2026
Corticosteroids are the first-line treatment for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and shrinking lung syndrome
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Corticosteroids are the first-line treatment for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and shrinking lung syndrome Corticosteroids May Help Rare Lupus Lung Complication
This systematic review examines the clinical presentation and management of shrinking lung syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythema…
A rare lupus lung problem often starts with breathlessness, and steroids were the most common first treatment in a review of 120 cases.
Frontiers Oct 4, 2026
Prolactin and estradiol levels are elevated in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Prolactin and estradiol levels are elevated in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus Hormone levels vary in people with systemic lupus erythematosus
This meta-analysis of 5389 individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) found significantly higher prolactin and estradiol levels in …
New data shows that people with systemic lupus erythematosus often have different hormone levels, especially during active periods of the di…
Oct 3, 2026
Higher mycophenolic acid levels correlate with 12-fold higher odds of clinical response in SLE
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Higher mycophenolic acid levels correlate with 12-fold higher odds of clinical response in SLE Higher Mycophenolic Acid Levels Linked to Better Lupus Response
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies indicates that higher mycophenolic acid (MPA) levels are associated with improved cli…
Higher levels of the medication mycophenolic acid are linked to better clinical responses in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Oct 3, 2026
CSF IL-6 and MCP-1 levels distinguish neuropsychiatric involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Hematology Meta-analysis
CSF IL-6 and MCP-1 levels distinguish neuropsychiatric involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus patients Blood and fluid markers help identify lupus brain involvement
This meta-analysis of 93 studies evaluated blood and cerebrospinal fluid analytes to identify biomarkers for neuropsychiatric involvement in…
New research identifies specific markers in blood and spinal fluid that help distinguish lupus patients with brain involvement from those wi…
Frontiers Oct 2, 2026
Stigma affects nearly half of adults with SLE, pooled prevalence 46%
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Stigma affects nearly half of adults with SLE, pooled prevalence 46% Nearly half of people with lupus face social stigma
This meta-analysis of observational studies estimates the prevalence and determinants of stigma in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus.…
Living with lupus can mean facing hidden layers of discrimination and social stigma that impact mental health and daily life.
Oct 2, 2026
Galectin-3 levels elevated in SLE with mean difference 8.48 versus healthy controls
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Galectin-3 levels elevated in SLE with mean difference 8.48 versus healthy controls Higher levels of galectin-3 linked to systemic lupus erythematosus
This meta-analysis synthesizes evidence on circulating galectin-3 levels in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus compared with heal…
A protein called galectin-3 is found in much higher amounts in people with systemic lupus erythematosus than in healthy people.
Oct 2, 2026
Telitacicept 160 mg plus standard therapy doubles SRI-4 response rate in adults with SLE
Infectious Disease Meta-analysis
Telitacicept 160 mg plus standard therapy doubles SRI-4 response rate in adults with SLE Telitacicept shows promise for adults with systemic lupus erythematosus
This meta-analysis of adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) found that telitacicept 160 mg plus standard therapy increased the SRI-…
A new treatment option, telitacicept, may improve response rates for adults with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis.
Frontiers Sep 26, 2026
Diagnostic codes and algorithms show 0.90 sensitivity for identifying systemic lupus erythematosus in electronic records
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Diagnostic codes and algorithms show 0.90 sensitivity for identifying systemic lupus erythematosus in electronic records Electronic Records Help Identify Connective Tissue Diseases More Accurately
This meta-analysis of 38 studies evaluates the accuracy of electronic health record codes and algorithms for identifying connective tissue d…
New data shows that specific coding systems in electronic health records can accurately identify patients with several connective tissue dis…
medRxiv Sep 26, 2026
Exercise and physical activity may reduce fatigue in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus
Neurology Meta-analysis
Exercise and physical activity may reduce fatigue in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus Exercise May Help Reduce Fatigue in People with Lupus
This umbrella review evaluates exercise and physical activity for managing fatigue and disease activity in adults with systemic lupus erythe…
Exercise and physical activity may help reduce fatigue for adults with lupus, though the current evidence is limited and not yet fully certa…
Frontiers Sep 19, 2026

Questions about Lupus Nephritis

Do complement pathways cause kidney injuries in patients with lupus nephritis?

Yes, complement pathways — especially the classical and alternative pathways — contribute to kidney injury in lupus nephritis by driving inflammation and tissue damage after immune complex deposition.

Full answer →
Is there a genetic variant linked to lupus nephritis risk in Chinese Han populations?

Yes, the rs80213143 variant in LOC100130476 is linked to lupus nephritis risk in Chinese Han populations, with the C allele associated with more severe kidney involvement.

Full answer →
What role do lysosomal pathways play in the progression of autoimmune kidney disease like lupus nephritis?

Lysosomal pathways act as checkpoints that regulate immune activation, autoantigen processing, and metabolic-immune crosstalk, driving lupus nephritis progression.

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Does having the CYP2C19*2 gene variant protect against cyclophosphamide side effects in lupus nephritis?

Yes, the CYP2C19*2 variant is linked to reduced cyclophosphamide toxicity in lupus nephritis, based on a meta-analysis showing a protective effect.

Full answer →
How does belimumab compare to anifrolumab for treating lupus nephritis?

Belimumab is approved for lupus nephritis and appears more effective than anifrolumab, which is not yet approved for this condition.

Full answer →
See all 5 questions about Lupus Nephritis →