title: Amelioration of the adverse effects of prednisolone by rituximab treatment in adults with steroid-dependent minimal-change nephrotic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We previously demonstrated the efficacy of single-dose 6-monthly rituximab infusions in 25 adults with steroid-dependent minimal-change nephrotic syndrome. Herein, we assessed the safety of rituximab treatment and its effect in ameliorating the adverse effects of prednisolone (PRED) in a larger study sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  We treated 54 adult patients with four single-dose 6-monthly infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m(2) BSA per dose). We compared the adverse effects of PRED (osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus) between the first rituximab infusion (baseline) and the end of the 24-month observation period. In addition, we examined the adverse effects of rituximab during the same period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PRED dose was significantly lower at 24 months than at the baseline. The bone density was significantly higher at 24 months as compared to the baseline value (Z score -1.8 vs. -1.1; p < 0.05). Blood pressure at 24 months was significantly lower than that at the baseline (120.9/74.4 vs. 111.8/70.3 mm Hg; p < 0.05). Eight patients with diabetes mellitus showed improved glycemic control at 24 months as compared to that at the baseline. There were no severe adverse effects of rituximab. However, mild infusion reactions occurred in 31 patients (57%). The frequency of the infusion reactions decreased significantly with every successive infusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rituximab treatment was effective and safe in patients with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, allowed reduction of the PRED dose, and ameliorated the adverse effects of PRED. It may be preferentially used in patients at a risk of the adverse effect of PRED.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan. ttakei@kc.twmu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takei
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwabuchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Takahito
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moriyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Kosaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nitta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009402:Nephrosis, Lipoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab; D011239:Prednisolone
keywords: Adverse effect; Infusion reaction; Rituximab; Steroid; Steroid-dependent minimal-change nephrotic syndrome