title: Combination of pulse methylprednisolone infusions with cyclosporine-based immunosuppression is safe and effective to treat recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after pediatric kidney transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in pediatric kidney allografts is associated with poor graft survival. Several therapeutic regimens have been proposed, with conflicting results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten pediatric patients with recurrent FSGS after kidney transplantation were treated with a protocol of methylprednisolone (MP) infusions in combination with cyclosporine (CsA)-based immunosuppression. The patients received a drug regimen with infusions of 20 mg/kg MP on three consecutive days at week 1, week 3, and week 5, and then monthly until six months after transplantation. If a complete or partial remission (PR) was obtained, MP pulse continued every three months until 24 months after transplantation. The CsA dose was adjusted according to AUC0-4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven of 10 patients (70%) achieved complete remission (CR) with stable renal function within 18 months of beginning of treatment. One of two patients with PR entered CR 3.5 yr after transplantation. One patient lost her graft due to recurrence four months after transplantation. After observation for 26-119 months, seven patients maintained remission with normal glomerular filtration rate. Few major side effects were observed in association with the high-dose MP infusion therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MP infusion therapy in combination with CsA-based immunosuppression could be safe and effective in treating recurrent FSGS after kidney transplantation.
authors: Department of Pediatric Nephrology, School of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan. shishido@med.toho-u.ac.jp
authors: Seiichiro
authors: S
authors: Shishido
authors: Hiroyuki
authors: H
authors: Satou
authors: Masaki
authors: M
authors: Muramatsu
authors: Yuko
authors: Y
authors: Hamasaki
authors: Kenji
authors: K
authors: Ishikura
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Hataya
authors: Masataka
authors: M
authors: Honda
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Asanuma
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Aikawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D008775:Methylprednisolone