Antimalarials in Lupus Nephritis: How Strong Is the Evidence?

Abstract

SLE is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease that affects the kidneys in approximately 50% of patients, with the prevalence rising to as high as 70% in certain populations, such as African American and Asian people. Antimalarials—and particularly hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)—are currently considered a mainstay of therapy, together with immunosuppressants. Over the past decades, several studies have extensively investigated the mechanisms of action of antimalarial agents and their potential beneficial properties in patients with SLE in general. However, the evidence for the therapeutic benefit of HCQ in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) derives mainly from observational studies, conducted in an era before the refinement of induction and maintenance protocols for immunosuppressive therapy. Despite the paucity of high-quality evidence on its efficacy in LN, the nephrology community widely supports the universal use of HCQ in patients with LN, and recommendations for its use are firmly entrenched in various clinical practice guidelines. Nonetheless, the use of antimalarials may also carry inherent risks, underscoring the importance of personalized approaches in these patients. Herein, we comprehensively review the available literature on antimalarials in LN, aiming to update the current evidence, limitations, and future perspectives for the use of antimalarials in adults.