Minimal change nephrotic syndrome developing during postoperative interferon-beta therapy for malignant melanoma.

A 64-year-old man presented with proteinuria during postoperative interferon (IFN)-beta therapy against malignant melanoma. Renal pathologic findings were consistent with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) showing extensive foot process effacement of visceral glomerular epithelial cells (podocyte). Nephrotic range proteinuria gradually regressed after stoppage of local injection of IFN-beta without glucocorticoid treatment. To our knowledge this is the first report that demonstrates histological abnormalities of the glomerulus associated with postoperative IFN-beta therapy for the malignant melanoma. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel