Renal replacement therapy in lupus nephritis

Recently, the therapeutic options for the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN) have increased by the promising results of treatment with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), anti-CD20 and other biological medications. However, whether these treatments will reduce the ultimate development of endstage renal failure (ESRF) is not known yet. Although compared to prednisone monotherapy, treatment with prednisone and cyclophosphamide or azathioprine reduces the cumulative incidence of ESRF in LN; still 20% of the patients develop ESRF [1]. In this editorial, we will review the results of the various forms of renal replacement therapy [i.e. haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and (pre-emptive) renal transplantation] in patients with ESRF due to LN.