PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite ground-breaking innovations for most autoimmune 
diseases, the treatment of lupus nephritis has remained largely the same for 
decades because none of the tested drugs demonstrated superiority over 
standard-of-care in randomized controlled clinical trials.
RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, the Belimumab in Subjects with Systemic Lupus 
Erythematosus - Lupus Nephritis trial tested belimumab, an inhibitor of B-cell 
activating factor, as an add-on therapy to steroids and either mycophenolate 
mofetil (MMF) or cyclophosphamide when given IV monthly over a period of 104 
weeks at an effect size of 11% for a Primary Efficacy Renal Response. The 
NOBILITY trial reported positive results for the B-cell-depleting agent 
obinutuzumab as an add-on therapy to steroids and MMF when given IV every 6 
months over a period of 76 weeks at an effect size of 22% for a complete renal 
response (CRR). The AURORA trial reported positive results for the calcineurin 
inhibitor voclosporin as an oral add-on therapy to low dose steroids and MMF 
when given twice daily over a period of 52 weeks at an effect size of 18.5% for 
a CRR.
SUMMARY: These studies will change the treatment landscape of lupus nephritis. 
In which way is discussed in this article.