Molecular evaluation of renal biopsies: a search for predictive and prognostic markers in lupus nephritis.

The therapeutic management of patients with lupus nephritis (LN) remains a major challenge. The availability of biomarkers that accurately predict renal flares, response to immunosuppressive treatment and risk of progression to end-stage renal disease would allow the more effective use of currently available immunosuppression, with less toxicity. The molecular analysis of renal biopsy samples provides direct insights into pathologic processes in LN, and constitutes a valuable approach to discover biomarkers that may be used to improve the outcome of LN patients. Reich et al. recently described a method for simultaneously detecting multiple mRNA transcripts in archived formalin-fixed renal biopsy samples. The authors identify three transcripts (EGF, MMP7 and COL1A1) that relate to pathological indices of kidney injury and function.