Antibody-Guided Therapy in Phospholipase A2 Receptor-Associated Membranous Nephropathy. 2023

Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
Department of Nephrology, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

A 6-month course of cyclophosphamide (CP) and steroids is effective in primary membranous nephropathy (MN), but unappealing because of long-term side effects. We evaluated efficacy of an "antibody-guided" treatment schedule. Patients with phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-related MN and high risk of progression were treated with CP 1.5 mg/kg/d and steroids in cycles of 8 weeks. Anti-PLA2R antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence (IIFT) at 8, 16, and 24 weeks, and a negative test resulted in withdrawal of CP, and rapid tapering of prednisone. In patients with persistent anti-PLA2R antibodies at 24 weeks, CP was switched to mycophenolate mofetil. Treatment was repeated in patients with a relapse. Our analysis included 65 patients (48 males, 17 females), age 61 ± 12 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 46 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (35-68), urine protein-to-creatinine ratio 7.7 grams/10 mmol creatinine (5.4-11.1) and serum albumin 20 g/l (16-26). Immunologic remission rate was 71% after 8 weeks, 86% after 16 weeks, 88% after 24 weeks, and 94% after 3 years. Twenty-seven patients (42%) had persistent clinical remission after only 8 weeks of therapy. Sixteen patients needed a second course of therapy because of immunologic or clinical relapse. Follow-up was 37 (26-58) months. Overall partial remission rate was 92%. One patient developed end-stage kidney disease. Antibody-guided therapy (ABG) was as effective as the standard 6-month course, whereas providing a lower cumulative dose of CP (11.1 [8.0-18.5] vs. 18.9 [14.2-23.6] grams). ABG is effective, and allows individualized therapy, with many patients responding to 8 weeks of CP-based therapy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
June 2011, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN,
Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
June 2015, Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association,
Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
August 2023, Cureus,
Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
May 2020, BMC nephrology,
Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
February 2019, Clinical kidney journal,
Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
June 2013, Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences,
Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
April 2017, Zhong nan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Central South University. Medical sciences,
Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
May 2018, CEN case reports,
Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
January 2013, Journal of renal injury prevention,
Coralien H Vink, and Anne-Els van de Logt, and Renate G van der Molen, and Julia M Hofstra, and Jack F M Wetzels
January 2015, American journal of nephrology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!