Cyclophosphamide: new approaches for systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Cyclophosphamideremains the ‘gold standard’treatment for severe organ threatening systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially renal and central nervous system lupus. Intravenous and oral cyclophosphamide have been compared, retrospectively, with similar two year remission rates of 73% and 90%.1 In a meta-analysis, intravenous cyclophosphamide with oral prednisone is more effective than oral prednisone alone.2 The efficacy of cyclophosphamidein lupus nephritis has been proven in multiple clinical trials, but efficacy has to be balanced with toxicity, including infection, gonadalfailure, and malignancy. Although the continued use of cyclophosphamidefor renal lupus has been challenged by a recent trial of mycophenolate mofetil, and may be challenged in the future by planned trials of biologics, it continues to be widely used. This review will touch on the traditional intravenous ‘pulse’ cyclophosphamide regimen, consider its toxicity, and contrast it with newer approaches to cyclophosphamide.