Rituximab in Steroid-dependent Nephrotic Syndrome

Authors

  • Mohamed El Koumi Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, Scotland, UK Author

Abstract

Treatment of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, particularly in patients who have failed to respond to multiple immunosuppressive drugs, remains challenging. Rituximab represents a new off-label therapeutic option. Here, we report the use of rituximab in 7 children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome with various histological backgrounds who failed to maintain remission with other immunosuppression regimens. All patients received rituximab infusion, 750 mg/m2 in 2 doses, 2 weeks apart, and the subsequent doses were adjusted by clinical response. In all patients, complete B-cell depletion was observed after the first course of rituximab. Follow-up for at least 12 months showed sustained remission in 6 children. We conclude that rituximab can reduce the risk of relapses, reduce the burden of immunosuppression, and at least, offer a better control of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome with minimal doses of immunosuppressive agents and steroids.

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Published

2013-11-13

Issue

Section

CASE REPORT | Kidney Diseases

How to Cite

Rituximab in Steroid-dependent Nephrotic Syndrome. (2013). Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases, 7(6), 502-506. https://ijkd.org/index.php/ijkd/article/view/1067