title: Levamisole treatment in steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.
abstract: Since 1992 we have treated 11 children with frequently relapsing steroid-sensitive (n=6) or steroid-resistant (n=5) nephrotic syndrome with levamisole. All had been non-responsive to other immunosuppressive medication before levamisole treatment. All steroid-sensitive patients had signs of steroid toxicity. At least 1 kidney biopsy had been performed prior to study in each patient. Five children had minimal glomerular changes and the other 6 focal segmental glomerular sclerosis. The patients were treated with levamisole (2.5 mg/kg per 48 h) for at least 2 months (up to 18 months, median 10 months). Two patients had additional immunosuppression (cyclosporine A) during levamisole treatment. All patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome became free of proteinuria within 2 months and have remained in remission after discontinuation of levamisole (follow-up time 8-50 months, median 24 months). None of the children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome experienced a remission. Side effects were observed in 2 patients and included a granulocytopenia and a severe psoriasis-like cutaneous reaction; both were reversible after discontinuation of levamisole. We conclude that levamisole is of benefit in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome but not in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: University Children's Hospital, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tenbrock
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Müller-Berghaus
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuchshuber
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Michalk
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Querfeld
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007978:Levamisole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids; D007978:Levamisole; D016572:Cyclosporine