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Clinical and Experimental Nephrology
Published in: Clinical and Experimental Nephrology 2/2017

Open Access 01-04-2017 | Review article

Rituximab for nephrotic syndrome in children

Authors: Kazumoto Iijima, Mayumi Sako, Kandai Nozu

Published in: Clinical and Experimental Nephrology | Issue 2/2017

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Abstract

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common chronic glomerular disease in children. At least 20 % of children with this syndrome show frequent relapses and/or steroid dependence during or after immunosuppressive therapies, a condition defined as complicated frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS/SDNS). Approximately 1–3 % of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome are resistant to steroids and all immunosuppressive agents, a condition defined as refractory steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS); these SRNS children have a high risk of end-stage renal failure. Rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been shown to be effective for patients with complicated FRNS/SDNS and refractory SRNS. This review describes the recent results of rituximab treatment applied to pediatric nephrotic syndrome, as well as those of our recent study, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of rituximab for childhood-onset complicated FRNS/SDNS (RCRNS01). The overall efficacy and safety of rituximab for this disease are discussed.
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Metadata
Title
Rituximab for nephrotic syndrome in children
Authors
Kazumoto Iijima
Mayumi Sako
Kandai Nozu
Publication date
01-04-2017
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Clinical and Experimental Nephrology / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 1342-1751
Electronic ISSN: 1437-7799
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-016-1313-5

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