Rituximab for steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Beco, A (Author) Other; Castro Ferreira, I (Author) Other; Luís Coentrão (Author) FMUP; Ricardo Neto (Author) FMUP; Sampaio, S (Author) Other; Pestana M (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Clinical Nephrology

Vol. 74

Pages: 308-310

ISSN: 0301-0430

Publisher: Dustri-Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 11 Citations

Scopus - 12 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-26E

Abstract (EN): Minimal change disease (MCD) is characterized by marked sensitivity to glucocorticoid therapy. However, in 40 - 50% of all cases the disease presents with frequent relapses and needs repeated courses of steroids as well as additional immunosuppressive therapy including azathioprine, cyclophosphamide or cyclosporine. Because such regimens are associated with significant toxicity, the therapeutic challenge of this disease is to identify the treatment with the highest probability of producing a sustained remission with the lowest risk of toxicity. There is increasing evidence that rituximab may play an important role in the treatment of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Here, we present an adult patient with steroid-sensitive but high-dose steroid-dependent MCD beginning in childhood with a heavy history of multiple immunosuppressive therapy that was brought into 1 year sustained remission of proteinuria with two infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)).

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 3