Fixed-dose Versus Concentration-controlled Mycophenolate Mofetil for the Treatment of Active Lupus Nephritis

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-65 year * Diagnosis of SLE according to ACR criteria. At least 4 criteria must have been present for the diagnosis of SLE * Active lupus nephritis (both new and flare patients can be included) defined as: * Within 16 weeks of randomization, had Biopsy-proven ISN class III or IV \[exclude III(c), IV-S(c) and IV-G(c). Patients are permitted to have co-existing class V and * At screening day, has urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) or 24-hour urinary protein ≥ 1.0 g/g or g/day Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breast feeding * Child-bearing age women who refuse to use effective birth-control * Poor compliance * Estimated-GFR \< 20 mL/min/1.73 m2 * Crescentic glomeruli more than 30 percent * Severe extra-renal involvement of SLE * History of severe allergic reactions or adverse effects to MMF * Uncontrolled concomitant disease * Known active, clinically significant infection of any kind * History of serious recurrent or chronic infection * History of malignancy (except basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix that has been excised and cured) * Concomitant conditions which has required treatment with systemic corticosteroid (excluding topical or inhaled steroids) at any time in the 52 weeks prior to screening * Treatment with more than 1 g cyclophosphamide within the past 24 weeks * Receipt more than 3 g of IV pulse methylprednisolone within the past 12 weeks * Receipt prednisolone more than 30 mg/day for longer than 30 days within the past 12 weeks * Treatment with MMF at ≥ 1.5 g/day for over 4 weeks within the past 12 weeks * On treatment with Tacrolimus or Cyclosporine on the day of screening * Treatment with any biologic B-cell depleting therapy (e.g. anti CD-20, anti CD 22) within 52 weeks * Receiving concomitant medication interfering PK of MPA * Cholestyramine * Rifampin