Rituximab is a safe and effective long-term treatment for children with steroid and calcineurin inhibitor-dependent idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

ABSTRACT: In children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, rituximab can maintain short-term remission with withdrawal of prednisone and calcineurin inhibitors. Long-term effects including the number of repeated infusions to maintain remission are unknown. To test this, we treated 46 consecutive children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome lasting for at least 1 year (mean 6.3 years), maintained in remission with oral prednisone and calcineurin inhibitors. They received 1-5 rituximab courses during a median follow-up of 3 years. Oral agents were tapered after each infusion, and completely withdrawn within 45 days. Rituximab was well tolerated. Six-month probabilities of remission were 48% after the first infusion and 37% after subsequent infusions. One- and 2-year-remission probabilities were, respect

SUBMITTER: Ravani P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3816123 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature