title: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking agent as a treatment for nephrotic syndrome.
abstract: We report a 13-year-old boy with refractory nephrotic syndrome (minimal change with mesangial proliferation) who failed the standard treatment protocols. There was some temporary response to large steroid doses, but even the Mendoza protocol could not induce remission. We show suppression of the proteinuria with Infliximab (Remicade) with tapering of steroids. Serial serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha are shown and discussed. We suggest studying the TNF-alpha blocking agents as optional treatment for nephrotic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. ravehmed@hotmail.com
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raveh
authors.forename: Ovadia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shemesh
authors.forename: Yaakov Jack
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Ashkenazi
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab