Steroid and cyclosporine therapy in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: monocentric experience and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Immunosuppressive treatment of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is debated due to its possible side effects. The 2012 KDIGO guidelines suggest alkylating agents as first choice therapy. The aim of the study is to retrospectively evaluate the induction and maintenance of clinical remission in patients with histological diagnosis of IMN undergoing steroid and/or cyclosporine therapy at the Nephrology Unit of the Sant’Andrea Hospital in Rome.

Materials and methods: Therapy A (conservative) was reserved to low-risk patients. 8 medium and high risk patients were induced by Therapy B (Prednisone 1 mg / kg ≤12-16 weeks plus 8 weeks withdrawal); 6 patients by Therapy C (Prednisone 1 mg /kg ≥20-24 weeks plus 8 week withdrawal) and, finally, 6 steroid-resistent patients by Therapy D (steroid withdrawal + cyclosporine 3-5 mg / kg for 2 years).

Results: Complete remission was observed in 37.5% of patients in Therapy B, in 83.3% of patients in Therapy C and in 66.6% of patients in Therapy D. Patients in group B relapsed more frequently than patients in the other groups. Side effects were irrelevant.

Conclusions: In view of the potential cytotoxicity of alkylating agents, steroids are a valid alternative in inducing and maintaining clinical remission over time, when administered with a more aggressive induction scheme. In cases of steroid resistance or rapid relapse, cyclosporine is a valid alternative to alkylating agents.

 

Keywords: nephrotic syndrome, steroid therapy, cyclosporine, idiopathic membranous nephropathy

Sorry, this entry is only available in Italian.

Introduzione

La nefropatia membranosa idiopatica (IMN) è la causa più comune di sindrome nefrosica nell’adulto e rappresenta circa il 15-36% di tutte le biopsie renali [1]. L’incidenza è maggiore dalla quarta decade di vita in poi, con un picco nella fascia d’età fra i 40 e i 60 anni, e si attesta attorno a 1,2-1,7 casi per 100.000 abitanti, con maggiore prevalenza nel sesso maschile (M:F = 2:1) [2]. Cause secondarie di nefropatia membranosa includono malattie autoimmuni, virus dell’epatite B e C, farmaci e tumori [3]. 

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