Naoko Ito1, Hiroshi Hataya2, Ken Saida3, Yoshiro Amano4, Yoshihiko Hidaka5, Yaeko Motoyoshi6, Toshiyuki Ohta7, Yasuhiro Yoshida2, Chikako Terano2, Tadashi Iwasa8, Wataru Kubota2, Hidetoshi Takada1, Toshiro Hara1, Yoshihiro Fujimura9, Shuichi Ito10,11. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8583, Japan. 2. Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, 2-8-29 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8561, Japan. 3. Division of Nephrology and Rheumatology, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Nagano Red Cross Hospital, 5-22-1 Wakasato, Nagano, 380-8582, Japan. 5. Department of Pediatrics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan. 6. Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan. 7. Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital, 1-5-54 Ujina-Kanda, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8530, Japan. 8. Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan. 9. Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan. 10. Division of Nephrology and Rheumatology, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan. itoshu@yokohama-cu.ac.jp. 11. Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan. itoshu@yokohama-cu.ac.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a severe life-threatening disease with frequent progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Eculizumab, a humanized anti-C5 monoclonal antibody targeting the activated complement pathway, has recently been introduced as a novel therapy against aHUS. We, therefore, investigated the efficacy and safety of eculizumab in Japanese pediatric patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical course and laboratory data of the first ten children with aHUS treated with eculizumab nationwide. RESULTS: Seven patients were resistant to plasma therapy and three were dependent on it. Causative gene mutations were found in five patients. Two patients had anti-complement factor H autoantibody. Three patients had a family history of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). After initiation of eculizumab, all patients immediately achieved hematological remission and could successfully discontinue plasma therapy. The median periods to normalization of platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase levels and disappearance of schistocytes were 5.5, 17 and 12 days, respectively. Nine patients recovered their renal function and the median period to terminate renal replacement therapy (RRT) was 3 days. However, two patients progressed to ESRD and required chronic RRT at the last observation. No patients had a relapse of TMA under regular eculizumab therapy. No serious adverse events occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Eculizumab is efficacious and well-tolerated therapy for children with aHUS. Although pathogenic mutations could not be detected in five patients, all patients showed immediate normalization of hematological abnormalities, strongly suggesting complement-related aHUS. This prompt hematological amelioration can become an indicator for therapeutic efficacy of eculizumab. However, appropriate indications and optimal duration of the treatment remain unclear.
BACKGROUND:Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a severe life-threatening disease with frequent progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Eculizumab, a humanized anti-C5 monoclonal antibody targeting the activated complement pathway, has recently been introduced as a novel therapy against aHUS. We, therefore, investigated the efficacy and safety of eculizumab in Japanese pediatric patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical course and laboratory data of the first ten children with aHUS treated with eculizumab nationwide. RESULTS: Seven patients were resistant to plasma therapy and three were dependent on it. Causative gene mutations were found in five patients. Two patients had anti-complement factor H autoantibody. Three patients had a family history of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). After initiation of eculizumab, all patients immediately achieved hematological remission and could successfully discontinue plasma therapy. The median periods to normalization of platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase levels and disappearance of schistocytes were 5.5, 17 and 12 days, respectively. Nine patients recovered their renal function and the median period to terminate renal replacement therapy (RRT) was 3 days. However, two patients progressed to ESRD and required chronic RRT at the last observation. No patients had a relapse of TMA under regular eculizumab therapy. No serious adverse events occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS:Eculizumab is efficacious and well-tolerated therapy for children with aHUS. Although pathogenic mutations could not be detected in five patients, all patients showed immediate normalization of hematological abnormalities, strongly suggesting complement-related aHUS. This prompt hematological amelioration can become an indicator for therapeutic efficacy of eculizumab. However, appropriate indications and optimal duration of the treatment remain unclear.
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