Trial of IgG therapy for lupus nephritis--report of two cases with a successful response.

Two cases with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were treated with high-dose intravenous IgG. In patient 1, the IgG therapy dramatically improved both the lupus nephritis and serological titers for SLE. In patient 2, intravenous IgG yielded a partial remission in the lupus nephritis as well as a satisfactory decrease in proteinuria and disappearance of the skin rash characteristic of SLE. IgG therapy is suggested as possibly beneficial for the treatment of SLE based on different mechanisms from those of corticosteroid action. Further studies are needed to determine the detailed efficacy of IgG therapy for SLE.