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Pediatric Nephrology
Published in: Pediatric Nephrology 9/2018

Open Access 01-09-2018 | Review

Rituximab in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome: lessons from clinical trials

Authors: Kazumoto Iijima, Mayumi Sako, Koichi Kamei, Kandai Nozu

Published in: Pediatric Nephrology | Issue 9/2018

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Abstract

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common chronic glomerular disease in children. A total of 80–90% of patients with childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome achieve remission with steroid therapy [steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS)]. However, approximately 50% of children with SSNS develop frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). Children with FRNS or SDNS are usually treated with immunosuppressive agents, but 10–20% of children receiving immunosuppressive agents still show frequent relapses or steroid dependence during or after treatment, defined as complicated FRNS or SDNS. Rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that was originally developed to treat patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is currently used for treating SSNS. In this review we highlight recent studies, mainly randomized controlled trials of rituximab for SSNS, including complicated and uncomplicated forms of FRNS or SDNS in children. We also discuss the effects of these studies on the management of patients suffering from these conditions.
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Metadata
Title
Rituximab in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome: lessons from clinical trials
Authors
Kazumoto Iijima
Mayumi Sako
Koichi Kamei
Kandai Nozu
Publication date
01-09-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Pediatric Nephrology / Issue 9/2018
Print ISSN: 0931-041X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-198X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-017-3746-9

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