Lupus kidney patients may be able to ditch heavy meds after two years

NCT ID NCT01284725

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether people with lupus-related kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis) who have been stable for two years can safely stop taking immunosuppressive drugs like mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine. One hundred patients were split into two groups: one continued the drugs, the other stopped. Everyone kept taking hydroxychloroquine and possibly low-dose steroids. The goal was to see if stopping treatment led to more kidney flare-ups.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that some lupus nephritis patients can safely stop long-term immunosuppressive drugs, reducing side effects and medication burden.

What could go wrong

This is a completed phase 3 trial, but results may not apply to all patients. Stopping immunosuppression could increase the risk of lupus flare-ups or kidney damage.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

lupus nephritis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille

    Marseille, 13354, France