Journal Club Review: Voclosporin in Lupus Nephritis: New Insights on Efficacy & Safety from Clinical Trials

Join Danielle Gatti Palumbo, Clinical Pharmacist at Northwell Health Division of Rheumatology, as she presents an integrated analysis of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of voclosporin in the treatment of lupus nephritis. Drawing from the AURA-LV and AURORA-1 trials—two of the largest lupus nephritis studies conducted to date—this update highlights voclosporin’s unique role as a novel calcineurin inhibitor that does not require routine therapeutic drug monitoring. The analysis demonstrates voclosporin’s ability to increase complete renal response by over 20% at one year, significantly reduce proteinuria in a shorter timeframe (29 days vs. 58 days), and deliver consistent outcomes across diverse racial and ethnic populations. Safety results were comparable to placebo, with stable blood pressure, glucose levels, and improvements in lipid profiles observed.

This update also explores the long-term extension data from AURORA-2 and aligns these findings with current lupus nephritis treatment guidelines, which now support triple therapy—including voclosporin—for patients with class V or proliferative disease. With its fast-acting and steroid-sparing profile, voclosporin continues to emerge as a valuable therapeutic option for managing active lupus nephritis. For more expert-led rheumatology education, visit RhAPP.org and explore the Content Rheum.