Preserving renal function in patients with membranous nephropathy: daily oral chlorambucil compared with intermittent monthly pulses of cyclophosphamide.
OBJECTIVE
To compare oral chlorambucil and intravenous cyclophosphamide-based drug regimens in the treatment of patients with membranous nephropathy and deteriorating renal function.


METHODS
Randomized study.


METHODS
University hospital and teaching hospitals.


METHODS
18 patients with membranous nephropathy, a nephrotic syndrome, and deteriorating renal function.


METHODS
Chlorambucil (0.15 mg/kg body weight per day orally in months 2, 4, and 6) and prednisone (three intravenous pulses of 1 g of methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisone at 0.5 mg/kg per day in months 1, 3, and 5) or intravenous cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2 body surface area once every month for 6 months) and methylprednisolone (three intravenous 1-g pulses in months 1, 3, and 5).


METHODS
Serum creatinine, serum cholesterol, serum albumin, and urinary protein levels.


RESULTS
Before treatment, no statistical differences were found between the treatment groups. Six months after treatment was started, serum creatinine levels had decreased in the group treated with chlorambucil, methylprednisolone, and prednisone from a mean of 260 +/- 112 mumol/L to 186 +/- 74 mumol/L (P = 0.003) and had increased in the group treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone from 218 +/- 85 mumol/L to 297 +/- 143 mumol/L (P = 0.02; difference between both groups, P < 0.001). Serum albumin levels increased in both groups by 9 and 6 g/L, respectively, and the urinary protein/creatinine ratio decreased by 2.6 and 3.1 g/10 mmol, respectively. At the end of follow-up (median, 15 months; range, 6 to 36 months), one patient in the chlorambucil group and four patients in the cyclophosphamide group had reached end-stage renal failure after 36, 12, 12, 18, and 18 months of therapy, respectively. One patient in the intravenous cyclophosphamide group died after 6 months of therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus far, both oral chlorambucil and oral cyclophosphamide have been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with membranous nephropathy and deteriorating renal function. Our study shows that intermittent monthly pulses of low-dose cyclophosphamide are ineffective in preserving renal function in such patients.
Reichert
L J
LJ
University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Huysmans
F T
FT
Assmann
K
K
Koene
R A
RA
Wetzels
J F
JF
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002699:Chlorambucil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002699:Chlorambucil; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone