Use of mycophenolate mofetil in resistant membranous nephropathy.
Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome. Optimal therapy for this disease is still debated. We report our experience using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), an immunosuppressive agent widely used in transplant recipients, to treat 16 nephrotic patients with MN. All patients had biopsy-documented MN; secondary forms were ruled out. Fifteen patients had steroid-resistant disease; cytotoxic agents had failed in 6 patients and cyclosporine therapy had failed in 5 patients. Patients were treated with MMF (dose range, 500 to 2,000 mg) for a mean of 8 months. Six patients experienced a halving of proteinuria, which occurred after a mean duration of 6 months of therapy. Partial remissions occurred in 2 patients. There were no significant changes in mean values for serum creatinine, serum albumin, or proteinuria. Mean cholesterol levels were significantly less. Side effects of MMF were infrequent and generally mild. In summary, MMF appears to reduce proteinuria in some patients with idiopathic MN previously resistant to steroids, cytotoxic agents, or cyclosporine. Further trials with this agent are warranted.
Miller
G
G
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
Zimmerman
R
R
Radhakrishnan
J
J
Appel
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011507:Proteinuria
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D002784:Cholesterol; D003404:Creatinine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid