Document Detail


Rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil for relapsing proliferative lupus nephritis: a long-term prospective study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19179411     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Subsequent to cyclophosphamide-based induction therapy of lupus nephritis, and despite maintenance chronic immunosuppressive treatment, many patients experience relapses. METHODS: This prospective, observational study included 10 women with biopsy-proven relapse of proliferative lupus nephritis occurring during maintenance with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine. The long-term outcome after a single course of the B-cell depleting anti-CD20 antibody rituximab (4 weekly infusions of 375 mg/m(2)), combined with daily MMF (2 g) and prednisolone (0.5 mg/ kg/day for 4 weeks, tapered thereafter) is presented. RESULTS: While renal function was not severely impaired at baseline, partial remission (>50% improvement in all abnormal renal parameters) was achieved in eight patients at a median of 3.5 months. In seven patients, with 24-h urinary protein of 2.5 +/- 1.1 g (mean +/- SD), complete remission, associated with increases in serum complement levels and decreases in anti-dsDNA titres, was subsequently established (normal serum creatinine/albumin levels, inactive urine sediment and 24-h urinary protein <0.5 g). Complete nephritis remission was sustained at the follow-up end (median of 38 months) in six patients. Combination treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of this low-toxicity combination was particularly evident in patients with subnephrotic proteinuria due to proliferative lupus nephritis relapse. Controlled trials to define the role of rituximab/MMF in this condition are warranted.
Authors:
John N Boletis; Smaragde Marinaki; Chryssanthe Skalioti; Sofia S Lionaki; Aliki Iniotaki; Petros P Sfikakis
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2009-01-29
Journal Detail:
Title:  Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association     Volume:  24     ISSN:  1460-2385     ISO Abbreviation:  Nephrol. Dial. Transplant.     Publication Date:  2009 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-06-22     Completed Date:  2009-08-24     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8706402     Medline TA:  Nephrol Dial Transplant     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  2157-60     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Nephrology Department, Laikon Hospital, Athens, Greece. laikneph@laiko.gr
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Humans
Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
Lupus Nephritis / drug therapy*,  pathology
Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives*,  therapeutic use
Prospective Studies
Recurrence
Time Factors
Young Adult
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Antibodies, Monoclonal; 0/Immunologic Factors; 0/Immunosuppressive Agents; 0/rituximab; 128794-94-5/mycophenolate mofetil; 24280-93-1/Mycophenolic Acid

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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