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Combination of pulse methylprednisolone infusions with cyclosporine‐based immunosuppression is safe and effective to treat recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after pediatric kidney transplantation
Author(s) -
Shishido Seiichiro,
Satou Hiroyuki,
Muramatsu Masaki,
Hamasaki Yuko,
Ishikura Kenji,
Hataya Hiroshi,
Honda Masataka,
Asanuma Hiroshi,
Aikawa Atsushi
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
clinical transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1399-0012
pISSN - 0902-0063
DOI - 10.1111/ctr.12079
Subject(s) - medicine , immunosuppression , methylprednisolone , transplantation , kidney transplantation , renal function , urology , surgery , focal segmental glomerulosclerosis , regimen , kidney , ciclosporin , glomerulosclerosis , glomerulonephritis , proteinuria
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 ( C s A )‐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 C s A dose was adjusted according to AUC 0–4. 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 C s A ‐based immunosuppression could be safe and effective in treating recurrent FSGS after kidney transplantation.