Abstract
We present two cases with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) and two cases with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) due to focal segmental glomerulonephritis (FSGS) who were treated with a single dose of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)). Although the two cases with SRNS showed no response, the two cases with SDNS achieved complete remission. The patients in whom the peripheral B-cell counts subsequently increased after the administration of rituximab demonstrated a relapse. Rituximab may be an effective treatment agent for SDNS with FSGS and the peripheral B-cell count may be a useful marker in such patients for preventing disease relapse.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Female
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Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / complications
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Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / drug therapy
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Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / immunology
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Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / therapy*
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Humans
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Lymphocyte Depletion
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Male
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Nephrotic Syndrome / congenital
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Nephrotic Syndrome / drug therapy
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Nephrotic Syndrome / etiology
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Nephrotic Syndrome / immunology
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Nephrotic Syndrome / therapy
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Recurrence
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Rituximab
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Steroids / therapeutic use
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Young Adult
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Steroids
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Rituximab
Supplementary concepts
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Nephrotic syndrome, idiopathic, steroid-resistant