Open AccessBiomarkers Predicting Treatment-Response in Nephrotic Syndrome of Children: A Systematic Review
Author(s) -
Jiwon M. Lee,
Yo Han Ahn,
Seon Hee Lim,
Hee Gyung Kang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
childhood kidney diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2384-0250
pISSN - 2384-0242
DOI - 10.3339/jkspn.2021.25.2.92
Subject(s) - nephrotic syndrome , glomerulopathy , medicine , biomarker , vitamin d and neurology , bioinformatics , endocrinology , oncology , biology , kidney , proteinuria , genetics
Purpose: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is the most common form of glomerulopathy in children. Most pediatric patients respond to glucocorticosteroid treatment (steroid-sensitive NS, SSNS), while approximately 10–15% will remain unresponsive or later become steroid-resistant. There has been a long-standing effort to find biomarkers that may predict steroid responsiveness.Methods: We systematically reviewed current studies which investigated clinically relevant biomarkers for predicting steroid responsiveness in pediatric NS. We performed a PubMed and EMBASE search to identify eligible articles. We collected data on urinary markers, blood/serum markers (including cellular phenotypes and mRNA expression), genotypes and HLA allele frequency.Results: A total of 659 articles were identified following electronic and manual searches. After reviewing the titles, abstracts, and full texts, 72 eligible articles were finally included. Vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) seemed to be significantly elevated in SRNS than in SSNS, in both serum and urine specimen, although further validation is required.Conclusions: The present paper narratively illustrates current understandings of potential biomarkers that may help predict steroid responsiveness. Further investigation and collaboration involving a larger number of patients are necessary.