Weaning of maintenance immunosuppressive therapy in lupus nephritis (WIN-Lupus): results of a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Jourde-Chiche N, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022. Epub ahead of print. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-222435.
Non-inferiority of maintenance immunosuppressive therapy (IST) discontinuation after 2‒3 years was not demonstrated for renal relapse, in proliferative lupus nephritis (LN).
As the optimal duration of maintenance IST, to reduce the risk of relapse while minimising treatment-related adverse events, is unknown, Jourde-Chiche, et al., tested whether IST discontinuation after 2‒3 years was non-inferior to IST continuation for two more years, in proliferative LN.
Despite non-inferiority of IST discontinuation not being demonstrated, results from this (WIN-Lupus) study call for the development of tailored strategies, possibly involving repeat biopsy, to identify patients who can be safely weaned off maintenance IST.