Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the major collagen diseases in childhood. However, the pathogenesis of this disease still remains unknown. The disease is known as a chronic inflammatory disease. Since oral and intravenous corticosteroid therapy has been introduced into the treatment of SLE, the prognosis of patients has improved significantly. However, it has now become clear that there are limitations in the effectiveness, as well as adverse reactions when corticosteroids therapy is administered for a long-term period. Therefore, we have been attempting to improve the maintenance therapy of child-onset SLE.
Methods: We have proposed and tested a new type of combination therapy using prednisolone (PSL) and mizoribine (MZR) in pediatric patients with SLE for maintenance therapy after the induction of remission.
Results: Our results showed that this combination therapy is more effective than the previous regimen. In addition, no significant side-effects were observed in our study.
Conclusion: This combination therapy is still not perfect. Efforts should be continued to establish an optimal therapy regimen for child-onset SLE.