EGFR-ErbB2 dual kinase inhibitor lapatinib decreases autoantibody levels and worsens renal disease in Interferon α-accelerated murine lupus.

Glomerulonephritis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have reported that expression of HER2/ErbB2, a member of the EGFR family, is increased in kidneys of patients and mice with lupus nephritis. We therefore asked if EGFR-family inhibition could ameliorate murine lupus nephritis.