RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The outcome of rituximab in treating steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome.
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 760
OP 764
DO 10.15537/smj.2022.43.7.20210727
VO 43
IS 7
A1 Al Salloum, Abdullah A.
A1 Al Herbish, Adi J.
A1 Al Hissi, Mohammed A.
A1 Abdalla, Mohammed S.
A1 Salim, Suha B.
A1 Farhat, Afrah H.
A1 Shagal, Reem A.
A1 Othman, Abduldafaee
A1 Alshaiban, Abdulelah
A1 Temsah, Mohamad-Hani A.
A1 Al-Eyadhy, Ayman A.
A1 Alhasan, Khalid A.
YR 2022
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/43/7/760.abstract
AB Objectives: To present our experience of treating steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) in children with repeated doses of rituximab (RTX) with a relatively long follow-up, and to discuss the role of the histopathology type and previous immune-suppressor (IS) drugs on the outcome of these patients.Methods: The patients included in this prospective study were children with SDNS who were in remission on a high-dose steroid or with additional IS drugs. All patients underwent renal biopsy before RTX treatment. Intravenous RTX was administered monthly at 375 mg/m2 for 4 doses. Response to treatment was defined as maintaining remission with no steroid-sparing agents or prednisone for one year.Results: Seventeen (14 males) patients were enrolled. Approximately 76% had minimal change disease (MCD) and 3 (18%) patients had immunoglobulin M (IgM) nephropathy. Approximately 85% of MCD and 33% of IgM nephropathy showed complete response to RTX.Conclusion: Compared to other IS used to treat SDNS, RTX showed a significant decrease in relapse rate with fewer side effects. The dose and interval should be modified according to the patient’s characteristics, such as medical history, pathology type, and previous IS agents.