Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials and Cohort Studies of Mycophenolate Mofetil in Lupus Nephritis

The systematic review and meta-analysis from 2006 evaluated the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) compared to cyclophosphamide in treating lupus nephritis, including data from randomized trials and cohort studies. MMF demonstrated a higher rate of complete or partial response and a lower mortality rate (0.7% vs. 7.8%) compared to cyclophosphamide. It was associated with fewer adverse events such as serious infections, leucopaenia, amenorrhoea, and hair loss, although diarrhea was more common. In cohort studies, 80% of patients responded to MMF treatment with a 0.2% mortality rate over one year. The findings suggested MMF as a potentially safer and more effective treatment option for lupus nephritis, guiding future research and clinical use.