An Efficacy and Safety Study of CNTO 136 in Patients With Active Lupus Nephritis

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and biopsy-proven International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society Class III or IV lupus glomerulonephritis within approximately 14 months prior to randomization * Persistently active nephritis defined as, proteinuria greater than 0.5g/day as determined by measurement of total urine protein less than 0.5 g/24- hours or a urine Protein/Creatinine (P/C) ratio greater than 0.5 (mg/mg) in a timed collection of 12 or more hours, for 2 months or more prior to the first administration of study medication and observed during at least 2 visits conducted 1 week apart during the screening period * Active Class III or Class IV lupus nephritis determined by recent biopsy within approximately 6 months prior to screening or at least 1 of the following 3 criteria: hematuria (blood in urine), anti-DNA positivity, or low C3 or C4 complement levels * Stable immunosuppression for at least 9 weeks prior to the first administration of study medication consisting of MMF 1-3 g/day (or equivalent dose of MPA) with/without corticosteroids up to prednisone equivalent of 20 mg/day, or azathioprine 1-3 mg/kg/day with/without corticosteroids up to prednisone equivalent of 20 mg/day * Stable dose of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) for at least 9 weeks prior to the first administration of study medication * If using oral corticosteroids, must be on a stable dose equivalent to 20 mg/day or less of prednisone for at least 9 weeks prior to the first administration of study medication Exclusion Criteria: * Cyclophosphamide use within 3 months of randomization * B-cell depletion therapy within 6 months of screening, or evidence of persistent B-cell depletion at the time of screening * Greater than 50 percent glomerular sclerosis on renal biopsy * Serum creatinine \> 2.5 mg/dL (SI: \> 177 µmol/L) * White blood cell count \< 3.5 x 10\^3 cells/µL (SI: \< 3.5 x 10\^9 cells/L) or neutrophils \< 1.96 x 10\^3 cells/µL (SI: \< 1.96 x 10\^9 cells/L) * Platelets \< 140 x 103 cells/ µL (SI: \< 140 x 10\^9 cells/L)