title: Intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide and steroids induce immunological and clinical remission in New-incident and relapsing primary membranous nephropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Primary membranous nephropathy is associated with progression to end stage renal diseasein some patients. Standard therapy with cyclical cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids can be associated with significant adverse effects. We aimed to assess immunological and clinical response with intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide and oral steroids in patients with severe nephrotic syndrome - in a prospective observational cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 17 consecutive patients (nine new-incident and eight relapses) with severe nephrotic syndrome received monthly intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide and oral steroids after failure to achieve remission with supportive therapy. Immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued at 6 months or earlier if proteinuria regressed to <100 mg/mmol and patients were followed for 12 months. Achievement of partial remission was primary outcome; changes in clinical parameters and anti-PLA2R were secondary outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dose of cyclophosphamide received was 5.4 g in New-incident patients and 4.2 g in patients with relapses. All 17 patients achieved partial remission within 6 months: proteinuria improved from 656 to 102 mg/mmol at 6 months and 55 mg/mmol at 12 months (P < 0.001); eGFR improved from 31 to 48 mL/min per 1.73 m2at 6 months and 45 mL/min per 1.73 m2at 12 months (P < 0.05). Anti-PLA2R levels reduced from 244 to 10 U/L at 6 months and 10 U/L at 12 months (P < 0.001). Two out of nine patients in the New-incident group developed subsequent relapse. Cumulative doses of cyclophosphamide and steroids that patients received was about half of the standard regime.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulse cyclophosphamide with oral steroids induced immunological and clinical partial remission at significantly reduced doses in primary membranous nephropathy.
authors: Manchester Institute of Nephrology and Transplantation, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors: Durga Anil K
authors: DAK
authors: Kanigicherla
authors: Manchester Institute of Nephrology and Transplantation, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Hamilton
authors: Manchester Institute of Nephrology and Transplantation, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors: Krystyna
authors: K
authors: Czapla
authors: Manchester Institute of Nephrology and Transplantation, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors: Paul Ec
authors: PE
authors: Brenchley
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug; D054507:Receptors, Phospholipase A2 / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D054507:Receptors, Phospholipase A2; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone
keywords: biomarkers; immunosuppression; nephrotic syndrome; primary membranous nephropathy