Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis often requires treatment with cyclophosphamide, which carries the risk of major side effects including infection, ovarian failure and bladder malignancy. Therapeutic strategies that would specifically target lymphocytes are appealing. Following the first report of the use of the purine nucleoside analogue cladribine (2-chloro-2’-deoxyadenosine), a selective lymphocyte depleting agent, in the treatment of lupus nephritis,1 we report our experience in two patients with severe renal involvement.