title: Levamisole vs. cyclophosphamide for frequently-relapsing steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.
abstract: A retrospective analysis comparing the first-time use of levamisole (L) or cyclophosphamide (C) as second-line therapy for children with frequently relapsing, steroid-dependent (FR/SD) nephrotic syndrome, was conducted at our center. The relapse rate and the total cumulative dose of prednisone during the year prior to L/C therapy was compared to that during the year following the institution of therapy with L or C in 51 patients, between July 1992 and June 1997. An analysis of covariance was used to adjust the outcome for differences between the 2 groups of treatment in the year prior to second-line drug initiation. In the L group the mean relapse rate was lowered by 0.28 relapses/patient/month and the mean cumulative dose of prednisone was reduced by 336 mg/m2/month versus 0.32 relapses/patient/month and 387 mg/m2/month in the C group (p = 0.395. p = 0.577). No significant difference in the effectiveness of L vs. C for therapy of FR/SD nephrotic syndrome could be identified in our patients. We conclude that L may be considered an alternative for C as a first second-line agent for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alsaran
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grisaru
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arbus
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016527:Drug Costs; D005076:Exanthema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007978:Levamisole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007978:Levamisole; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone