Recovery of kidney function by rituximab-based therapy in a patient with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia-related nephropathy presenting cast nephropathy and interstitial lymphocytic infiltration

Intern Med. 2012;51(13):1725-30. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.7207. Epub 2012 Jul 1.

Abstract

A 60-year-old man with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of rapid progressive renal deterioration despite 3 cycles of oral melphalan and prednisolone (MP) therapy. Renal biopsy just before introducing hemodialysis revealed cast nephropathy and severe tubulo-interstitial infiltration of B lymphocytes. After 6 cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone (R-COP) therapy, his renal function improved enough to discontinue hemodialysis. This is a rare case of WM-related renal involvement caused by both monoclonal protein and tumor infiltration and, to our knowledge, the second report on improved renal function by rituximab-based therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / etiology*
  • Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • Kidney Diseases / physiopathology
  • Kidney Diseases / therapy*
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / complications*
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / pathology
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / physiopathology
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / therapy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone
  • Creatinine