Cyclosporine and steroid therapy in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

Cyclosporine A and steroid therapy in childhood steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

Background:

In children, idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is primarily treated using corticosteroids. When remission is not achieved, the coadministration of potent immunosuppressant therapy becomes imperative. Cyclosporine A (CsA) is reportedly associated with a higher incidence of remission in comparison with other immunosuppressive agents.

Methods:

The present study investigated the response of combination therapy using CsA and prednisolone in 30 Tunisian children with idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (ISRNS). Renal histopathology was compatible with focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) in 15 children, minimal change disease (MCD) in nine children, and diffuses mesangiale proliferation (DMP) in six children.

Results:

The therapy protocol produced a complete remission of proteinuria in 15 patients (50%) and a partial remission in nine patients (30%). Six patients (20%) showed no response to therapy. Progression to end stage renal disease occurred in five CsA-resistant children and in four CsA-responsive patients. CsA-related nephrotoxicity was detected by renal biopsy in one patient.

Conclusions:

CsA remains the primary cytotoxic treatment for childhood steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Its use in combination with corticosteroids provides optimum efficiency without high risk of nephrotoxicity.

Long-term outcome of children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome treated with tacrolimus

We report the outcome of our single-center, long-term follow-up study of tacrolimus therapy in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). All cases of nephrotic syndrome (NS) with kidney biopsies treated at our center between January 2000 and July 2008 were reviewed. Children with systemic lupus erythematosus and steroid-dependent NS were excluded. Nineteen children with SRNS received tacrolimus. Histopathological analysis of the biopsy revealed the underlying conditions of these 19 patients to be focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (ten patients), C1q nephropathy (four), membranous nephropathy (two), minimal change disease (one), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (one), and immunoglobulin A nephropathy (one). The mean follow-up was 55 months, and the median age of the patient cohort was 10 years. We observed complete remission in 11 (58%) patients, partial remission in six (32%), and failure to respond in two (9%). The median time to response was 8 weeks. Side effects were mild and transient (one case of acute kidney injury and three cases of hyperglycemia). The initial rate for combined partial and complete remission of the NS in children with SRNS was 81%, which was sustained in 58% of the patients on follow-up. Among children with FSGS, the sustained remission rate was 50%, while 40% progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (mean time 52 months). Based on the results of this study, we conclude that tacrolimus is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for the treatment of SRNS in children. However, the occurrence of relapses of the NS with progression to ESRD during the long-term follow-up indicates the need for careful monitoring of such patients.