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Small-group Discussions

Connect with leaders in the field through interactive, virtual discussions about lupus nephritis. If you are unable to attend a session, please GET CONNECTED to your Aurinia representative to schedule a small-group discussion at your convenience

Engage in a meaningful 30-minute conversation on one of the following topics:

  • Discover the importance of an early complete renal response in LN
  • Learn more about a novel CNI for LN
  • LN case presentation: from diagnosis to treatment
  • Why a timely response matters for LN

Get your questions answered by leaders in lupus nephritis

= Nephrologist

= Rheumatologist

Abdul A. Abdellatif, MD, FASN

Nephrologist
Baylor College of Medicine
CLS Health
Houston, TX

Abdul A. Abdellatif, MD, FASN, is an adjunct assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine Division of Nephrology and founder of Kidney Hypertension Transplant Clinic at CLS Health in Houston, Texas.

Dr Abdellatif received his BS with highest honors from University of Houston and his medical degree from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG) School of Medicine in Mexico/New York Medical College. He completed his internal residency and nephrology fellowship at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

He is board certified in nephrology and internal medicine. His practice ranges from general nephrology to transplant nephrology in both academic and private sectors.

Dr Abdellatif is a member of numerous medical societies including American Society of Nephrology (fellow), Medical Center Islamic Society (board member), and President of board of trustees of Mishkah University in the United States.

He is also a recipient of awards and honors, including America’s Top Physicians Award by Consumer’s Research Council of America (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2020) and Who’s Who in American Professionals (2010), and rated among America’s Best Physicians.

Sreedhara B. Alla, MD

Nephrologist
Northwest Louisiana Nephrology, LLC
Shreveport, LA

Sreedhara B. Alla, MD, is a nephrologist with Northwest Louisiana Nephrology, LLC, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr Alla is also affiliated with Willis-Knighton Health System in Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana, and Christus Schumpert Highland Hospital in Shreveport.

Dr Alla received a medical degree from J.J.M. Medical College in Davangere, India. He completed an internal medicine residency at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, and went on to serve a nephrology fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

With board certifications in internal medicine and nephrology, Dr Alla’s clinical expertise includes conditions affecting the kidneys such as renal failure, kidney stones, and chronic kidney disease. Dr Alla is a member of numerous medical societies, including American Society of Nephrology, Louisiana State Medical Society, and Shreveport Medical Society.

Dr Alla has presented posters at medical meetings and has publications in Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica and a book chapter, Nephrolithiasis: Physicochemical Principles and General Management, in The Washington Manual of Nephrology Subspecialty Consult (Second Edition).

Swati Arora, MD, FASN

Assistant Professor
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Co-Director, Glomerular Disease Program
Autoimmune Institute, West Penn Hospital
Pittsburgh, PA

Swati Arora, MD, FASN, is an assistant professor, Drexel University. She completed her residency, chief residency, and nephrology fellowship at Allegheny Health Network-Medical Education Consortium in Pittsburgh, PA.

Though her clinical practice includes a wide variety of patients with kidney disease, she specializes in management of patients with glomerulonephritis (GN), nephrotic syndromes, and autoimmune conditions affecting the kidneys such as lupus nephritis and ANCA vasculitis. She also has interest in managing pregnancies complicated by kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients with GN.

Dr Arora strongly believes in a multidisciplinary approach to management of complex patients with GN. She is Co-Director of the Glomerular Disease Program at Autoimmune Institute located at West Penn Hospital, where patients receive care from multiple subspecialties. She is course director for the CME-accredited GN board, which is a platform for discussion of rare and complex conditions in patients with GN among nephrologists, rheumatologists, pathologists, and department of medicine. She has also served as an Associate Director and Deputy Editor for the Harvard CME-accredited GlomCon conference series that is attended by nephrologists and nephropathologists from more than 110 countries. She is actively involved in many research studies that include building a GN registry, trials with new drugs for patients with GN, and many peer-reviewed publications.

German T. Hernandez, MD, FASN, FACP

Nephrologist
El Paso Kidney Specialists
Principal Investigator
El Paso Medical Research Institute
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center
El Paso, TX

German T. Hernandez, MD, FASN, FACP, is a nephrologist at El Paso Kidney Specialists, P.A., and principal investigator at El Paso Medical Research Institute. He is also a clinical associate professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in El Paso, Texas.

Dr Hernandez received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, and completed his internal medicine residency at University of California at San Francisco, where he went on to complete a nephrology fellowship. He is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology. He speaks multiple languages, including Spanish.

He specializes in acute renal failure, chronic renal failure and dialysis, glomerular disease, and hypertension. His research interests include dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease and kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic kidney disease. Dr Hernandez is a member of numerous medical societies, including American College of Physicians (fellow), National Kidney Foundation, American Society of Nephrology (fellow), International Society of Nephrology, Southwest Renal Society, and Texas Medical Association.

Dr Hernandez is the recipient of many awards and honors, including the Research Mentoring Award from the TTUHSC Department of Internal Medicine and the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems President’s Award for Leadership in Furthering Care for the Underserved. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters as well as other scientific publications.

Joshua M. Kaplan, MD

Associate Professor of Nephrology and Hypertension
New Jersey Medical School
Rutgers University
Newark, NJ

Joshua M. Kaplan, MD, is associate professor of nephrology and hypertension in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, at New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.

Dr Kaplan received his medical degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He completed his residency in internal medicine at New York University/Bellevue Hospitals followed by a fellowship in nephrology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

He is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology and is a member of the American Society of Nephrology. His clinical interests include renal replacement, nocturnal hemodialysis, and acute renal failure.

He is an editorial board member of the Nephrology Self-Assessment Program (nephSAP®), American Society of Nephrology. nephSAP is a learning vehicle for clinical nephrologists to refresh their clinical knowledge and diagnostic and therapeutic skills.

Dr Kaplan has published book chapters and abstracts as well as articles in numerous journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease, among others. He also presents at medical meetings.

Khaleel Sayeed, MD

Nephrologist
Nephrology Associates of Northern Illinois and Indiana (NANI)
Medical Director
Fresenius Kidney Care-Chicago Dialysis Center
Chicago, IL

Khaleel Sayeed, MD, is an attending nephrologist with Nephrology Associates of Northern Illinois and Indiana (NANI) and the medical director for Fresenius Kidney Care-Chicago Dialysis Center. He currently practices at Ascension Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center and Northshore-Swedish Covenant Hospital, located in Chicago, IL.

He received his medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical School in Kansas City, KS. He completed both his residency in internal medicine as well as his fellowship in nephrology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. He is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology.

In addition to his practice and Medical Directorship, Dr Sayeed is actively involved in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Northshore Swedish Covenant Hospital and the Family Medicine Residency Program at Ascension Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, where he has twice been named Clinical Instructor of the Year. He is also a member of the Peer Review Committee and Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center.

Dr Sayeed has authored and co-authored articles in publications including Clinical Nephrology, Clinical Kidney Journal, Journal of Inflammation, and Brain Behavior and Immunity. He has conducted multiple oral and poster presentations throughout his career.

He is an active member of the American Society of Nephrology and the National Kidney Foundation. His past volunteer projects include the Inner-city Muslim Action Network Health Clinic, where he helped provide free healthcare to patients with limited access, and the Jaydoc Free Clinic, a student-run clinic serving patients without health insurance.

James A. Tumlin, MD

Professor of Medicine, Renal Division
Emory University
Director & CMO
NephroNet Clinical Trials Consortium
Atlanta, GA

James A. Tumlin, MD, is a professor of medicine in the Renal Division at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr Tumlin received his medical degree from University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. He completed his internal medicine residency and his nephrology fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine. He is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology.

His basic science research includes understanding the role of calcineurin in regulating glomerular and tubular function. His clinical research efforts have focused on sepsis and include acute kidney injury, immune complex glomerulonephritis, and racial differences in renal allograft survival. He is an invited committee member of the DEVINE Team, a multinational research initiative for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and IgA nephropathy. He is also active in many medical societies, including American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Clinical Investigators, and International Society of Nephrology.

Dr Tumlin has received numerous awards, including the “Best Doctors in America” (2009 to present), “Who’s Who in American Medicine” (2010 to present), and the American Men and Women of Science (2014 to present). In 2009, Dr Tumlin created the NephroNet Clinical Trials Consortium, which is a 501 C3 nonprofit focused on medical education and conducting clinical research that improves the lives of patients with chronic kidney disease.

He has publications in book chapters, abstracts, and more than 110 peer-reviewed manuscripts in journals, such as The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Biochemical Biophysical Research Communications, The American Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, and Kidney International. He is a frequent speaker at medical meetings.

Alvin Wells, MD, PhD

Director
Aurora Rheumatology and Immunotherapy Center
Franklin, WI

Dr Wells is currently a practicing rheumatologist at the Aurora Rheumatology and Immunotherapy Center in Franklin, Wisconsin, where he serves as the Director. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a Visiting Foreign Professor at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. He also maintains his clinical affiliation with Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, where he is an Adjunct Assistant Professor. Prior to returning to private practice, Dr Wells was an Associate Medical Director at Abbott Laboratories where he played a central role in the launch of HUMIRA.

Dr Wells received his MD from the University of South Florida, Tampa, and trained in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at Duke University, where he was a faculty member before joining Abbott. He received his PhD in Immunology from the University of South Carolina, where he developed an animal model for Reiter’s syndrome. He was a recipient of the prestigious Fogarty Biomedical Research Award from the National Institutes of Health, which allowed him to undertake a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship at Uppsala University, Sweden, with Dr Lars Klareskog. Dr Wells is fluent in Swedish.

A member of the American Telemedicine Association and the American College of Rheumatology, Dr Wells has more than 25 years of research experience, focusing on chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, with an emphasis on connective tissue components, inflammatory mediators, and cytokines. He is the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Teaching Award from the Medical College of Wisconsin and Ascension St. Joseph Hospital. He is the recipient of the 2003 Abbott President’s Award. In 2001, he was honored with the Merck Young Investigator Award, and in 1999 he received the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr Wells is an internationally renowned speaker and researcher. He has received research support from the Arthritis Foundation and from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Anne Winkler, MD, PhD

Rheumatologist
Premier Specialty Network
Springfield, MO

Anne Winkler, MD, PhD, is a rheumatologist with Premier Specialty Network.

Dr Winkler received her medical degree from University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine in Columbia, Missouri, where she completed her internal medicine residency and rheumatology fellowship programs. She also completed her PhD in microbiology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology.

Dr Winkler has practiced for about 30 years in southwest Missouri. She is on the faculty of Missouri State University and continues to serve as principal investigator in clinical research trials. Dr Winkler has served as governor of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and was awarded mastership in the ACP in 2008. She has also served on the Executive Board of the Association of Women in Rheumatology.

Dr Winkler is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the 417 Magazine Best Doctor in Rheumatology in most years since its inception in 2002.

She has published more than 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

CNI=calcineurin inhibitor; LN=lupus nephritis.

Indication

LUPKYNIS is indicated in combination with a background immunosuppressive therapy regimen for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis (LN).

Limitations of Use: Safety and efficacy of LUPKYNIS have not been established in combination with cyclophosphamide. Use of LUPKYNIS is not recommended in this situation.


Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNINGS: MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS

Increased risk for developing malignancies and serious infections with LUPKYNIS or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: LUPKYNIS is contraindicated in patients taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors because of the increased risk of acute and/or chronic nephrotoxicity, and in patients who have had a serious/severe hypersensitivity reaction to LUPKYNIS or its excipients.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Lymphoma and Other Malignancies: Immunosuppressants, including LUPKYNIS, increase the risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin. The risk appears to be related to increasing doses and duration of immunosuppression rather than to the use of any specific agent.

Serious Infections: Immunosuppressants, including LUPKYNIS, increase the risk of developing bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections which lead to serious, including fatal outcomes.

Nephrotoxicity: LUPKYNIS, like other calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), may cause acute and/or chronic nephrotoxicity. The risk is increased when CNIs are concomitantly administered with drugs associated with nephrotoxicity. Monitor eGFR regularly.

Hypertension: Hypertension is a common adverse reaction of LUPKYNIS therapy and may require antihypertensive therapy. Monitor blood pressure regularly.

Neurotoxicity: LUPKYNIS, like other CNIs, may cause a spectrum of neurotoxicities: severe include posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), delirium, seizure, and coma; others include tremor, paresthesia, headache, and changes in mental status and/or motor and sensory functions. Monitor for neurologic symptoms.

Hyperkalemia: Hyperkalemia, which may be serious and require treatment, has been reported with CNIs, including LUPKYNIS. Concomitant use of agents associated with hyperkalemia may increase the risk for hyperkalemia. Monitor serum potassium levels periodically.

QTc Prolongation: LUPKYNIS prolongs the QTc interval in a dose‑dependent manner when dosed higher than the recommended lupus nephritis therapeutic dose. The use of LUPKYNIS in combination with other drugs that are known to prolong QTc may result in clinically significant QT prolongation.

Immunizations: Avoid the use of live attenuated vaccines during treatment with LUPKYNIS. Inactivated vaccines noted to be safe for administration may not be sufficiently immunogenic during treatment with LUPKYNIS.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia: Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with another CNI immunosuppressant. If PRCA is diagnosed, consider discontinuation of LUPKYNIS.

Drug‑Drug Interactions: Avoid co‑administration of LUPKYNIS and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers. Co‑administration of LUPKYNIS with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated. Reduce LUPKYNIS dosage when co‑administered with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Avoid use of LUPKYNIS with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (≥3%) were glomerular filtration rate decreased, hypertension, diarrhea, headache, anemia, cough, urinary tract infection, abdominal pain upper, dyspepsia, alopecia, renal impairment, abdominal pain, mouth ulceration, fatigue, tremor, acute kidney injury, and decreased appetite.

SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy: Avoid use of LUPKYNIS.

Lactation: Consider the mother’s clinical need of LUPKYNIS and any potential adverse effects to the breastfed infant when prescribing LUPKYNIS to a lactating woman.

Renal Impairment: LUPKYNIS is not recommended in patients with baseline eGFR ≤45 mL/min/1.73 m2 unless benefit exceeds risk. If used in this population, reduce LUPKYNIS dose.

Hepatic Impairment: For mild or moderate hepatic impairment, reduce LUPKYNIS dose. Avoid use with severe hepatic impairment.


Please see full Prescribing Information including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide for additional Important Safety Information about LUPKYNIS.

Indication

LUPKYNIS is indicated in combination with a background immunosuppressive therapy regimen for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis (LN).

Limitations of Use: Safety and efficacy of LUPKYNIS have not been established in combination with cyclophosphamide. Use of LUPKYNIS is not recommended in this situation.


Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNINGS: MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS

Increased risk for developing malignancies and serious infections with LUPKYNIS or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: LUPKYNIS is contraindicated in patients taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors because of the increased risk of acute and/or chronic nephrotoxicity, and in patients who have had a serious/severe hypersensitivity reaction to LUPKYNIS or its excipients.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Lymphoma and Other Malignancies: Immunosuppressants, including LUPKYNIS, increase the risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly of the skin. The risk appears to be related to increasing doses and duration of immunosuppression rather than to the use of any specific agent.

Serious Infections: Immunosuppressants, including LUPKYNIS, increase the risk of developing bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections which lead to serious, including fatal outcomes.

Nephrotoxicity: LUPKYNIS, like other calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), may cause acute and/or chronic nephrotoxicity. The risk is increased when CNIs are concomitantly administered with drugs associated with nephrotoxicity. Monitor eGFR regularly.

Hypertension: Hypertension is a common adverse reaction of LUPKYNIS therapy and may require antihypertensive therapy. Monitor blood pressure regularly.

Neurotoxicity: LUPKYNIS, like other CNIs, may cause a spectrum of neurotoxicities: severe include posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), delirium, seizure, and coma; others include tremor, paresthesia, headache, and changes in mental status and/or motor and sensory functions. Monitor for neurologic symptoms.

Hyperkalemia: Hyperkalemia, which may be serious and require treatment, has been reported with CNIs, including LUPKYNIS. Concomitant use of agents associated with hyperkalemia may increase the risk for hyperkalemia. Monitor serum potassium levels periodically.

QTc Prolongation: LUPKYNIS prolongs the QTc interval in a dose‑dependent manner when dosed higher than the recommended lupus nephritis therapeutic dose. The use of LUPKYNIS in combination with other drugs that are known to prolong QTc may result in clinically significant QT prolongation.

Immunizations: Avoid the use of live attenuated vaccines during treatment with LUPKYNIS. Inactivated vaccines noted to be safe for administration may not be sufficiently immunogenic during treatment with LUPKYNIS.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia: Cases of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) have been reported in patients treated with another CNI immunosuppressant. If PRCA is diagnosed, consider discontinuation of LUPKYNIS.

Drug‑Drug Interactions: Avoid co‑administration of LUPKYNIS and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers. Co‑administration of LUPKYNIS with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated. Reduce LUPKYNIS dosage when co‑administered with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Avoid use of LUPKYNIS with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (≥3%) were glomerular filtration rate decreased, hypertension, diarrhea, headache, anemia, cough, urinary tract infection, abdominal pain upper, dyspepsia, alopecia, renal impairment, abdominal pain, mouth ulceration, fatigue, tremor, acute kidney injury, and decreased appetite.

SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy: Avoid use of LUPKYNIS.

Lactation: Consider the mother’s clinical need of LUPKYNIS and any potential adverse effects to the breastfed infant when prescribing LUPKYNIS to a lactating woman.

Renal Impairment: LUPKYNIS is not recommended in patients with baseline eGFR ≤45 mL/min/1.73 m2 unless benefit exceeds risk. If used in this population, reduce LUPKYNIS dose.

Hepatic Impairment: For mild or moderate hepatic impairment, reduce LUPKYNIS dose. Avoid use with severe hepatic impairment.


Please see full Prescribing Information including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide for additional Important Safety Information about LUPKYNIS.