• Number of Adverse Events (AEs)Grade 3 or Higher Experienced by Participant During Treatment Phase of Study [ Time Frame: 24 Weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

  Number of adverse events (AEs) or serious adverse events (SAEs) Grade 3 or higher experienced by participant over the duration of the treatment period. [1]

  [1] This study graded the severity of AEs experienced by the study participant according to the criteria set forth in the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 3.0.

  
  

• Number of Participant Adverse Events (AEs) From Baseline to Early Study Withdrawal Visit [ Time Frame: 39 Weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  Number of participant AEs during the trial. This study graded the severity of AEs experienced by the study participant according to the criteria set forth in the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 3.0.
  
  
• Percent of Participants Who Achieved a Renal Response at Week 24 [ Time Frame: Week 24 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

  Percent of study participants who achieved a renal response at 24 weeks.[1]

  [1]A renal response is defined as: 1) 50% reduction in proteinuria compared to baseline as measured by urinary protein: creatinine ratio; and 2) stable or improving renal function as defined by the Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated based on the "Modification of Diet in Renal Disease" equation (Levy, AS, Coresh J, Galk E et al, National Kidney Foundation practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: evaluation, classification, and stratification. Ann Intern Med, 139(2): 137-47, 2003)

  
  
• Time to Participant's Renal Response [ Time Frame: First 24 Weeks of Study Period ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

  Time to when participant achieved a renal response[1]

  [1]A renal response is defined as: 1) 50% reduction in proteinuria compared to baseline as measured by urinary protein: creatinine ratio; and 2) stable or improving renal function as defined by the Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated based on the "Modification of Diet in Renal Disease" equation (Levy, AS, Coresh J, Galk E et al, National Kidney Foundation practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: evaluation, classification, and stratification. Ann Intern Med, 139(2): 137-47, 2003)

  
  
• Participant Systematic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) Score at Baseline and at Early Study Withdrawal Visit [ Time Frame: Baseline, Week 39 (Early Study Withdrawal Visit) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Reported here is the baseline and week 39 Systematic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores. The SLEDAI is a concise measure of lupus disease activity with excellent test-retest reliability and high responsiveness to clinically important changes in the disease. The total score is derived from ratings on 24 conditions plus the Physician's Global Assessment; 0 indicates inactive disease and the maximum theoretical score is 105, with higher scores representing increased disease activity.
  
  
• Number of Participants With a C to B Score Change From Baseline to Week 24 in the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) Mucocutaneous Score [ Time Frame: Baseline, Week 24 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Reported here is the number of participants with a change in their BILAG Mucocutaneous Score from C (at baseline) to B (at week 24). A single alphabetic score (A through E) is used to denote disease severity. The BILAG score is a converted numerical score (A=9, B=3, C=1, D=0, E=0). A maximum mucocutaneous score of 9 signifies higher disease activity and a score of 0 is indicative of inactive systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the specified organ system.
  
  
• Number of Participants With a B to D Change From Baseline to Week 24 in the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) Musculoskeletal Score [ Time Frame: Baseline, Week 24 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Reported here is the number of participants with a change in their BILAG Musculoskeletal Score from B (at baseline) to D (at week 24). A single alphabetic score (A through E) is used to denote disease severity. The BILAG score is a converted numerical score (A=9, B=3, C=1, D=0, E=0).A maximum musculoskeletal score of 9 signifies higher disease activity and a score of 0 is indicative of inactive systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the specified organ system.
  
  
• Number of Participants With an A to B Score Change From Baseline to Week 24 in the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) Renal Score [ Time Frame: Baseline, Week 24 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Reported here is the number of participants with a change in their BILAG Renal Score from A (at baseline) to B (at week 24). A single alphabetic score (A through E) is used to denote disease severity. The BILAG score is a converted numerical score (A=9, B=3, C=1, D=0, E=0).A maximum renal score of 9 signifies higher disease activity and a score of 0 is indicative of inactive systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the specified organ system
  
  
• Participant Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Physical Component Score at Baseline and Week 24 [ Time Frame: Baseline, Week 24 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

  Reported here is the participant baseline and week 24 SF-36 Physical Component scores. The SF-36 measures 8 domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, body pain, social functioning, mental health, role limitations due to emotional problems, vitality, and general health perceptions[1]. The Physical Component scores of the SF-36 range from 0 to 100; 0 equals worst health state. Higher numbers reported here indicate more improvement in condition from baseline.

  [1]Ref: Ware JE, Sherbourne CD. The MOS36-item short-form health survey Med Care. 1992; 30:473-483.

  
  
• Participant Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) Mental Component Score at Baseline and Week 24 [ Time Frame: Baseline, Week 24 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

  Reported here are the participant SF-36 Mental Component scores at baseline and week 24. The SF-36 measures 8 domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, social functioning, mental health, role limitations due to emotional problems, vitality, and general health perceptions.[1] The Mental Component score of the SF-36 ranges from 0 to 100; 0 equals worst health state. Higher numbers reported here indicate more improvement in condition from baseline.

  [1]Ref: Ware JE, Sherbourne CD. The MOS36-item short-form health survey. Med Care. 1992; 30:473-483

  
  

Kidney problems associated with lupus nephritis range from asymptomatic protein in the urine to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, leading to end-stage renal disease. The goal of therapies is to control kidney manifestations in order to avoid kidney failure, the occurrence of other medical problems and death.

The treatment of lupus nephritis remains problematic. Despite the use of currently available therapies, patients experience disease relapse. Over time, patients develop significant morbidity from the disease as well as from medications used for treatment.

Etanercept, a TNF inhibitor, is proposed as a potential treatment for lupus nephritis. TNF increases the number of reactive B and T cells. TNF levels can be elevated in lupus. Etanercept is believed to work by blocking inflammation, and it is hoped that it will lessen the signs and symptoms of lupus-related kidney disease.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of etanercept compared to placebo in combination with standard therapy to treat individuals with mild or moderately active lupus nephritis.

This study will last 1 year. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either etanercept or placebo in addition to their regular medications. Participants will self-administer 50 mg etanercept or placebo injections once a week. They will continue receiving their usual treatment with corticosteroids and either MMF, Mycophenolic Acid, or AZA. Treatment with study medication will occur for 24 weeks.

There will be a screening visit followed by a randomization visit, where subjects will receive and learn how to administer the study drug. Subjects will come to the clinic for 9 study visits. A physical exam and blood and urine collection will occur at most study visits. Participants will also be asked to complete a questionnaire on their health at most study visits. Subjects will be contacted by phone 5 times during the 24-week period to assess for adverse events and worsening disease status.