Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Refractory Lupus Nephritis

Treatment plan: Peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized with cyclophosphamide (2.0 g/m2) for 2 days and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) at 5-10 μg/kg per day was administered when the level of peripheral leucocytes was < 1×109/L. Peripheral leukocyte counts were monitored, and harvesting was performed when the peripheral white blood cell level rebounded (usually 11 days after cyclophosphamide). The target acquisition was CD34+ cells > 2×10^6/kg and mononuclear cells > 2×10^8/kg. The graft was preserved at a temperature of -196 ℃ for further use. The conditioning regimen consisted of intravenous cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg/day × 4 days) 5 days before transplantation (a total dose 160 mg/kg) and rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG) (2.5mg/kg/day × 3 days) 4 days before transplantation. The dose of cyclophosphamide and ATG could be reduced according to the patients' condition. Methylprednisolone (80-500 mg/day) was administered through intravenous drip at the same time with ATG to reduce anaphylaxis. The incidence of drug-related complications was decreased by hyperhydration (the volume of infusion liquid is 50 ml/kg/day), urine alkalization (infusion of sodium bicarbonate 250ml/day), and anti-emetic medication. G-CSF (0.5 μg/kg/d) was administered to each patient beginning the day after stem cells reinfusion until the level of absolute peripheral neutrophil count was consecutively higher than 1.0 × 10^9/L.

Inclusion criteria

• 1. Diagnosed with relapsed and refractory lupus nephritis; 2. Ages from 14 - 45 years old; 3. Serum creatinine < 2mg/dl; 4. Alanine aminotransferase < 2 times of normal upper limit; 5. Left ventricular ejection fraction > 50%; 6. Subjects (or their legal representatives) must signed an informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

• 1. Active infection; 2. Known or suspected hypersensitivity to CTX or ATG; 3. Subjects suffering from uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease; 4. Subjects suffering from serious physical disease and mental illnesses.