BACKGROUND: Though rituximab (RTX) is effective for childhood steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS), an established regimen does not exist. The relapses tend to occur when the peripheral blood B-cell count re-arises at 3 months upon single RTX infusion. This study was conducted to clarify whether the long-term remission of SDNS can be obtained by repeated RTX administrations. METHODS: RTX was administered 4 times at 3-month intervals at 375 mg/m(2)/time to 5 children with SDNS. The changes in the clinical indicators were analyzed. RESULTS: The median (range) observation period was 6.3 (0.9-8.4) years before RTX and 3.2 (1.9-3.8) years following the commencement of RTX. The changes in the clinical indicators were as follows (median and range): (1) annual number of relapses: before administration 1.4 (1.1-3.5) times/year, after administration 0.0 (0.0-0.0) times/year, and (2) median steroid dosage: before administration 0.80 (0.23-0.96) mg/kg/day, after administration 0.00 (0.00-0.00) mg/kg/day. All changes were significant at p < 0.05. Relapse occurred 3 times following the start of RTX (the period to relapse was 2.2, 1.9, and 2.3 years, respectively). No serious side effects were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated RTX against SDNS in children may be a useful therapeutic option.
BACKGROUND: Though rituximab (RTX) is effective for childhood steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS), an established regimen does not exist. The relapses tend to occur when the peripheral blood B-cell count re-arises at 3 months upon single RTX infusion. This study was conducted to clarify whether the long-term remission of SDNS can be obtained by repeated RTX administrations. METHODS:RTX was administered 4 times at 3-month intervals at 375 mg/m(2)/time to 5 children with SDNS. The changes in the clinical indicators were analyzed. RESULTS: The median (range) observation period was 6.3 (0.9-8.4) years before RTX and 3.2 (1.9-3.8) years following the commencement of RTX. The changes in the clinical indicators were as follows (median and range): (1) annual number of relapses: before administration 1.4 (1.1-3.5) times/year, after administration 0.0 (0.0-0.0) times/year, and (2) median steroid dosage: before administration 0.80 (0.23-0.96) mg/kg/day, after administration 0.00 (0.00-0.00) mg/kg/day. All changes were significant at p < 0.05. Relapse occurred 3 times following the start of RTX (the period to relapse was 2.2, 1.9, and 2.3 years, respectively). No serious side effects were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated RTX against SDNS in children may be a useful therapeutic option.
Authors: Alice Bonanni; Marta Calatroni; Matteo D'Alessandro; Sara Signa; Enrica Bertelli; Michela Cioni; Eddi Di Marco; Roberto Biassoni; Gianluca Caridi; Giulia Ingrasciotta; Roberta Bertelli; Armando Di Donato; Maurizio Bruschi; Alberto Canepa; Giorgio Piaggio; Pietro Ravani; Gian Marco Ghiggeri Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2018-03-25 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: Ji Hyun Kim; Eujin Park; Hye Sun Hyun; Myung Hyun Cho; Yo Han Ahn; Hyun Jin Choi; Hee Gyung Kang; Il-Soo Ha; Hae Il Cheong Journal: Kidney Res Clin Pract Date: 2017-09-30