95 The performance of a renal activity index in lupus nephritis in induction therapy

Abstract

Background Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Current standard tools to monitor lupus nephritis (LN) are suboptimal compared to the invasive renal biopsy. The renal activity index in lupus (RAIL) was developed using 6 urinary biomarkers to reflect disease activity. In children this tool was 92% accurate in identifying active LN. We aim to study the changes in this score in relation to induction treatment in LN. Methods Urine samples were collected from active LN patients prior to induction treatment for LN and serially afterwards, coinciding with clinical visits. Luminex Bead Multiplex Assay was used for the analyses of urine biomarkers included in the RAIL score (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, ceruloplasmin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, adiponectin, hemopexin, kidney injury molecule-1). RAIL scores were calculated per the defined algorithm for each urine sample. Data collected include LN histologic classification (International Society of Nephrology (ISN)/Renal Pathology Society (RPS) classification), renal SLE disease activity index (rSLEDAI) score and type of therapy. Results At the time of the analysis, data from 6 active LN patients were collected longitudinally. Patients were all females and all had class IV LN per the ISN/RPS. Renal SLEDAI scores were on the higher end (M=11.3, SD=3.9). All patients were started on intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide (CYC) therapy. All but one patient completed 6 doses of monthly CYC before switching to oral mycophenolate mofetil therapy. The RAIL scores for the 6 patients ranged between −1.8 and 3.29. All patients had reductions in their RAIL score at 2–3 months period at an average of 322% decline from baseline (Figure 1). At the end of induction treatment or at the 5–6 months interval, 5/6 samples were available for analysis and showed that 4/5 patients maintained a decline of RAIL scores below the baseline. Of note the patient with higher RAIL score at the end of treatment had only 3 monthly doses of CYC. All rSLEDAI scores decreased between baseline and the 6 months interval. However, one patient with known medication non-adherence had a flare of LN at the 6 months point leading to increased rSLEDAI. Conclusions RAIL scores show overall improvement from baseline with LN induction therapy. Lack of improvement was associated with flare of disease. Additional data points and a larger study sample are required to study the ability of the RAIL score to reflect clinical improvement of LN. Funding Source(s): Academic Research Committee of the Cincinnati Childrens Research Foundation.