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Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics ›› 2024, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (7): 744-751.doi: 10.12092/j.issn.1009-2501.2024.07.003

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Low-dose rituximab improves progression in early-stage medium-to-high-risk membranous nephropathy: an exploratory study

XU Qiuyu, AI Sanxi, WANG Gangan, JIA Chunyu, WANG Jiahui, ZHENG Ke, QIN Yan, CHEN Gang, LI Xuemei   

  1. Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
  • Received:2024-02-18 Revised:2024-02-22 Online:2024-07-26 Published:2024-06-24

Abstract:

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the predominant cause of primary nephrotic syndrome (NS) among adults. The identification of PLA2R as target antigen has brought about a profound transformation in the management of MN, offering a basis for the utilization of B-cell depleting agents such as rituximab (RTX). The question of whether early intervention targeting antibodies can effectively impede the progression of MN, contributing to enhanced disease control and long-term renal outcomes for patients, remains further exploration. We analyzed demographic data, laboratory parameters, and renal involvement in 13 patients with PLA2R antibody-related MN who received at least one RTX treatment at our center from October 2019 to March 2023. Early-stage medium-to-high-risk MN was defined as baseline or admission anti-PLA2R antibody levels exceeding 50 RU/mL, excluding patients who already presented with nephrotic syndrome at baseline. The median duration of MN at the initiation of the first RTX treatment was 4.1 months (IQR 1-7.7), and the median follow-up time after RTX therapy was 27 months (IQR 23-45). All patients had commenced renin-angiotensin system inhibitors before receiving RTX. Following RTX therapy, none of the 13 patients progressed to NS during the follow-up period, and 12 patients achieved complete or partial remission at the 2-year follow-up or the last visit. No deaths, severe infections, or other serious adverse reactions occurred during the follow-up period. In conclusion, RTX demonstrates favorable efficacy and safety in early-stage, medium-to-high-risk MN patients. Initiating antibody clearance therapy in these patients may be beneficial for long-term disease control and distant renal outcomes.

Key words: idiopathic membranous nephropathy, adult nephrotic syndrome, B cell depletion therapy, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, anti-M-type phospholipase A2 receptor antibody

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