BIOMAT Database Logo BIOMAT Database Logo

Levamisole vs. cyclophosphamide for frequently-relapsing steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome. 2001

K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, ON, Canada.

A retrospective analysis comparing the first-time use of levamisole (L) or cyclophosphamide (C) as second-line therapy for children with frequently relapsing, steroid-dependent (FR/SD) nephrotic syndrome, was conducted at our center. The relapse rate and the total cumulative dose of prednisone during the year prior to L/C therapy was compared to that during the year following the institution of therapy with L or C in 51 patients, between July 1992 and June 1997. An analysis of covariance was used to adjust the outcome for differences between the 2 groups of treatment in the year prior to second-line drug initiation. In the L group the mean relapse rate was lowered by 0.28 relapses/patient/month and the mean cumulative dose of prednisone was reduced by 336 mg/m2/month versus 0.32 relapses/patient/month and 387 mg/m2/month in the C group (p = 0.395. p = 0.577). No significant difference in the effectiveness of L vs. C for therapy of FR/SD nephrotic syndrome could be identified in our patients. We conclude that L may be considered an alternative for C as a first second-line agent for these patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007166 Immunosuppressive Agents Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging. Immunosuppressant,Immunosuppressive Agent,Immunosuppressants,Agent, Immunosuppressive,Agents, Immunosuppressive
D007978 Levamisole An antihelminthic drug that has been tried experimentally in rheumatic disorders where it apparently restores the immune response by increasing macrophage chemotaxis and T-lymphocyte function. Paradoxically, this immune enhancement appears to be beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis where dermatitis, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia, and nausea and vomiting have been reported as side effects. (From Smith and Reynard, Textbook of Pharmacology, 1991, p435-6) L-Tetramisole,Levotetramisole,Decaris,Dekaris,Levamisole Hydrochloride,Solaskil,Hydrochloride, Levamisole
D008297 Male Males
D009404 Nephrotic Syndrome A condition characterized by severe PROTEINURIA, greater than 3.5 g/day in an average adult. The substantial loss of protein in the urine results in complications such as HYPOPROTEINEMIA; generalized EDEMA; HYPERTENSION; and HYPERLIPIDEMIAS. Diseases associated with nephrotic syndrome generally cause chronic kidney dysfunction. Childhood Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome,Frequently Relapsing Nephrotic Syndrome,Multi-Drug Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome,Pediatric Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome,Multi Drug Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome,Nephrotic Syndrome, Steroid-Dependent,Nephrotic Syndrome, Steroid-Resistant,Nephrotic Syndrome, Steroid-Sensitive,Nephrotic Syndromes,Steroid Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndromes,Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndromes,Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndromes,Syndrome, Nephrotic,Syndrome, Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic
D009503 Neutropenia A decrease in the number of NEUTROPHILS found in the blood. Neutropenias
D011241 Prednisone A synthetic anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid derived from CORTISONE. It is biologically inert and converted to PREDNISOLONE in the liver. Dehydrocortisone,delta-Cortisone,Apo-Prednisone,Cortan,Cortancyl,Cutason,Dacortin,Decortin,Decortisyl,Deltasone,Encorton,Encortone,Enkortolon,Kortancyl,Liquid Pred,Meticorten,Orasone,Panafcort,Panasol,Predni Tablinen,Prednidib,Predniment,Prednison Acsis,Prednison Galen,Prednison Hexal,Pronisone,Rectodelt,Sone,Sterapred,Ultracorten,Winpred,Acsis, Prednison
D012008 Recurrence The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. Recrudescence,Relapse,Recrudescences,Recurrences,Relapses
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003520 Cyclophosphamide Precursor of an alkylating nitrogen mustard antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent that must be activated in the LIVER to form the active aldophosphamide. It has been used in the treatment of LYMPHOMA and LEUKEMIA. Its side effect, ALOPECIA, has been used for defleecing sheep. Cyclophosphamide may also cause sterility, birth defects, mutations, and cancer. (+,-)-2-(bis(2-Chloroethyl)amino)tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine 2-Oxide Monohydrate,B-518,Cyclophosphamide Anhydrous,Cyclophosphamide Monohydrate,Cyclophosphamide, (R)-Isomer,Cyclophosphamide, (S)-Isomer,Cyclophosphane,Cytophosphan,Cytophosphane,Cytoxan,Endoxan,NSC-26271,Neosar,Procytox,Sendoxan,B 518,B518,NSC 26271,NSC26271

Related Publications

K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Levamisole in Frequently-relapsing and Steroid-dependent Nephrotic Syndrome.
October 2017, Indian pediatrics,
K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Levamisole in steroid dependent and frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome.
January 2006, Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP,
K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Experience with levamisole in frequently relapsing, steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.
February 2006, Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany),
K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Cyclophosphamide and rituximab in frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.
April 2016, Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany),
K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Efficacy of levamisole in children with frequently relapsing and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.
May 2014, Indian pediatrics,
K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Immunoregulation with levamisole in children with frequently relapsing steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome.
September 1988, Acta paediatrica Scandinavica,
K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Levamisole therapy in children with frequently relapsing and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome: a single-center experience.
January 2016, Central-European journal of immunology,
K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Long-term effects of cyclophosphamide therapy in steroid-dependent or frequently relapsing idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
January 2011, Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association,
K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
Rituximab versus cyclophosphamide as first steroid-sparing agent in childhood frequently relapsing and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.
August 2020, Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany),
K Alsaran, and S Grisaru, and D Stephens, and G Arbus
In what order should one introduce cyclophosphamide or chlorambucil, cyclosporine or levamisole in a child with steroid-dependent frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome?
October 1993, Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany),
Copied contents to your clipboard!