A phase I study evaluated the effect of high-affinity human anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody sirukumab in SLE patients with LN of class III and IV that have already received induction therapy with mycophenolate mophetil (MMF) or cyclophosphamide and presented significant proteinuria despite maintenance treatment with MMF or azathioprine. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and lobular neoplasia.