The efficacy of treatment with a liposome-based steroid (methylprednisolone hemisuccunate (MPS)) nano-drug was superior to similar doses of free MPS in a mouse model of lupus. The steroid nano-drug, which was administered weekly, suppressed anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels, renal damage and proliferation of lymphoid tissue, and prolonged the survival of the MRL-lpr/lpr mice, to a greater extent than treatment with daily injections of free MPS.