title: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) for the treatment of membranous nephropathy after living-unrelated kidney transplantation: a case report.
abstract: A 41-year-old Thai male with end-stage renal disease of uncertain etiology started chronic hemodialysis in November 2001. Two years later, he underwent a living unrelated, four HLA mismatched, kidney transplantation from his wife. Pretransplant class I panel reactive antibody was 80% and the cross-match was positive for immunoglobulin (Ig)M. There was no complication until 30 months after transplantation, when he developed frank nephrotic syndrome with 12.9 g/day of proteinuria. Serum creatinine was 1.5 mg/dL. Allograft biopsy showed membranous nephropathy and mild acute cellular rejection with plasma cell infiltration. In addition to enalapril, valsartan, and simvastatin, a single dose of rituximab (375 mg/m2) and a 3-day course of pulse methylprednisolone were prescribe for the acute rejection episode. The patient was maintained on the same immunosuppressive regimen: cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone. Five months after the therapy, proteinuria was reduced to 0.5 g/day with a normalized serum albumin level. At 4 years post transplantation, his renal function remains stable. His serum albumin is 4.5 g/dL and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio 0.2.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sirimongkolrat
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Premasathian
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vongwiwatana
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Limsrichamrern
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cheunsuchon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vasuvattakul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000517:prevention & control; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D000069283:Rituximab; D003404:Creatinine