Administration of low-dose cyclosporine alone for the treatment of elderly patients with membranous nephropathy

Comparison of Dosage of Glucocorticoid in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) with moderate risk or above was recommended to receive immunosuppressive therapy. We attempted to evaluate the optimal dose of glucocorticoid when combined with evidence-proven effective immunosuppressants by network meta-analysis.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception until January 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in IMN limited to supportive care, glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), and rituximab were screened.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight RCTs of 1,830 patients were included. Therapeutic regimens were divided as follows: moderate- to high-dose glucocorticoids plus CNIs (HMSCn), moderate- to high-dose glucocorticoids plus cyclophosphamide (HMSCt), moderate- to high-dose glucocorticoids plus chlorambucil (HMSCh), zero- to low-dose glucocorticoids plus CNIs (LNSCn), zero- to low-dose glucocorticoids plus cyclophosphamide (LNSCt), rituximab alone (R), glucocorticoids alone (SE), and supportive care alone (SP). Compared with SP, HMSCh (risk ratio [RR]: 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1, 3.18), HMSCn (RR: 2.5, 95%CI: 1.25, 5.11), HMSCt (RR: 2.15, 95%CI: 1.29, 3.64), LNSCn (RR: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.25, 3.95), and R (RR: 2.07, 95%CI: 1, 4.39) had a higher probability of total remission rate, while HMSCn represented the highest probability depending on the surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) ranking values. Regarding infection, no significant difference was found between different doses of glucocorticoids plus the same immunosuppressant. HMSCn and HMSCt showed superiority in reducing 24-hour urine total protein compared with HMSCh, LNSCn, SE, and SP, while HMSCn seemed to be the most effective regimen through the ranking of SUCRA value.

CONCLUSION

Moderate- to high-dose glucocorticoids showed superiority in proteinuria remission when combined with CNIs in IMN, with no increasing risk of infection.

Efficacy of low or heavy rituximab‑based protocols and comparison with seven regimens in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficiency of tacrolimus + rituximab and rituximab in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). But optimal dosages of rituximab for IMN are still controversial. This network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted to compare the efficacy of different rituximab dosages and other main treatments in IMN treatment.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies analyzing nine therapeutic regimens for IMN were included from some databases. Network comparisons were performed to analyze the rates of total remission (TR) and relapse rate. The surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) was calculated to rank interventions.

RESULTS

Twelve RCTs and 12 observational studies involving 1724 patients were pooled for comparison of 9 interventions. This NMA demonstrated steroids + tacrolimus was ranked first in the aspect of total remission at 6 months (92%) and 12 months (81.3%). The total remission rate associated with tacrolimus + rituximab increased rapidly between the sixth (SUCRA 22.5%) and the twelfth month (SUCRA 63.9%). Tacrolimus and cyclosporine A were associated with higher total remission at 6 months (78.8% and 65.4%, separately) and decreased at 12 months (58.1 and 34.9%, separately). Steroids + cyclophosphamide, rituximab (Heavy dose) and rituximab (Low dose) had stable remission rates at 6 (63.7%, 46.6%, and 19.4%) and 12 months (SUCRA 66.9%, 39.6%, and 28.8%). Tacrolimus and cyclosporine A were associated with a significantly higher risk of relapse than that with steroids + cyclophosphamide, rituximab (Heavy dose), and rituximab (Low dose).

CONCLUSIONS

For IMN in adults, steroids + tacrolimus was ranked first in the aspect of total remission, followed by steroids + cyclophosphamide and steroids + cyclosporine A. The TR associated with rituximab (Heavy and Low dosage) at 12 months was higher than that at 6 months. And rituximab (Heavy dose) achieves a higher rate of total remission than that of rituximab (Low dose).

Efficacy and safety of 12 immunosuppressive agents for idiopathic membranous nephropathy in adults: A pairwise and network meta-analysis

Background: Immunosuppressants have been applied in the remedy of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) extensively. Nevertheless, the efficacy and safety of immunosuppressants do not have final conclusion. Thus, a pairwise and network meta-analysis (NMA) was carried out to seek the most recommended therapeutic schedule for patients with IMN.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including cyclophosphamide (CTX), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), tacrolimus-combined mycophenolate mofetil (TAC + MMF), cyclosporine (CsA), tacrolimus (TAC), leflunomide (LEF), chlorambucil (CH), azathioprine (AZA), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), non-immunosuppressive therapies (CON), steroids (STE), mizoribine (MZB), and rituximab (RIT) for patients with IMN were checked. Risk ratios (RRs) and standard mean difference (SMD) were reckoned to assess dichotomous variable quantities and continuous variable quantities, respectively. Total remission (TR) and 24-h urine total protein (24-h UTP) were compared using pairwise and NMA. Then interventions were ranked on the basis of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA).

Results: Our study finally included 51 RCTs and 12 different immunosuppressants. Compared with the CON group, most regimens demonstrated better therapeutic effect in TR, with RR of 2.1 (95% CI) (1.5–2.9) for TAC, 1.9 (1.3–2.8) for RIT, 2.5 (1.2–5.2) for TAC + MMF, 1.9 (1.4–2.7) for CH, 1.8 (1.4–2.4) for CTX, 2.2 (1.0–4.7) for ACTH, 1.6 (1.2–2.1) for CsA, 1.6 (1.0–2.5) for LEF, and 1.6 (1.1–2.2) for MMF. In terms of 24-h UTP, TAC (SMD, −2.3 (95% CI −3.5 to −1.1)), CTX (SMD, −1.7 (95% CI −2.8 to −0.59)), RIT (SMD, −1.8 (95% CI −3.5 to −0.11)), CH (SMD, −2.4 (95% CI −4.3 to −0.49)), AZA (SMD, −−4.2 (95% CI −7.7 to −0.68)), and CsA (SMD, −1.7 (95% CI −3 to −0.49)) were significantly superior than the CON group. As for adverse effects (AEs), infections, nausea, emesia, myelosuppression, and glucose intolerance were the collective adverse events for most immunosuppressants.

Conclusion: This study indicates that TAC + MMF performed the best in terms of TR, and TAC shows the best effectiveness on 24-h UTP compared with other regimens. On the contrary, there seems to be little advantage on STE alone, LEF, AZA, and MZB in treating patients with IMN compared with CON.

Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42021287013]

Immunosuppression therapy for idiopathic membranous nephropathy: systematic review with network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines recommend rituximab or cyclophosphamide and steroids, or calcineurin inhibitor-based therapy. However, there have been few or no head-to-head comparisons of the relative efficacy and safety of different immunosuppression regimens. We conducted a network meta-analysis to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of available immunosuppression strategies compared to cyclophosphamide in adults with idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials in the treatment of adults with idiopathic membranous nephropathy. The primary outcome was complete remission. Secondary outcomes were kidney failure, partial remission, estimated glomerular filtration rate, doubling of serum creatinine, proteinuria, serious adverse events, discontinuation of treatment, serious infection and bone marrow suppression.

RESULTS

Cyclophosphamide had uncertain effects on inducing complete remission when compared to rituximab (OR 0.35, CI 0.10-1.24, low certainty evidence), mycophenolate mofetil (OR 1.81, CI 0.69-4.71, low certainty), calcineurin inhibitor (OR 1.26, CI 0.61-2.63, low certainty) or steroid monotherapy (OR 2.31, CI 0.62-8.52, low certainty). Cyclophosphamide had a higher probability of inducing complete remission when compared to calcineurin inhibitor plus rituximab (OR 4.45, CI 1.04-19.10, low certainty). Compared to other immunosuppression strategies, there was limited evidence that cyclophosphamide had different effects on other pre-specified outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The comparative effectiveness and safety of immunosuppression strategies compared to cyclophosphamide is uncertain in adults with idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

Treatment of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy for Moderate or Severe Proteinuria: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the efficacy of drugs differs in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) patients with moderate or high proteinuria. However, there is no systematic comparison confirming it. This network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to respectively compare the efficacy of ten IMN treatments in patients with moderate and high proteinuria and compare the risk of adverse events with 10 IMN regimens.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies analyzing the main therapeutic regimens for IMN were included from some databases. Network comparisons were performed to analyze the rates of total remission (TR), bone marrow suppression, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) was calculated to rank interventions.

RESULTS

Seventeen RCTs and eight observational studies involving 1778 patients were pooled for comparison of ten interventions. Steroid + tacrolimus (TAC) showed the highest probabilities of TR whether patients had severe proteinuria or not (SUCRA 89.5% and 88.9%, separately). Rituximab (RTX) was more beneficial for TR on patients with proteinuria <8 g/d (SUCRA 66.0%) and was associated with a lower risk of bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal symptoms (SUCRA 21.7% and 21.4%, separately). TAC + RTX and steroids + cyclophosphamide induced the highest rates of bone marrow suppression (SUCRA 90.6% and 88.3%, separately) and gastrointestinal symptoms (SUCRA 86.0% and 72.1%, separately).

CONCLUSIONS

Steroids + TAC showed significant efficacy in patients with all degrees of proteinuria, while RTX was more effective in patients with moderate proteinuria and was safer in bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Immunosuppressive treatment for primary membranous nephropathy in adults with nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Without treatment, approximately 30% of patients will experience spontaneous remission and one third will have persistent proteinuria. Approximately one-third of patients progress toward end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) within 10 years. Immunosuppressive treatment aims to protect kidney function and is recommended for patients who do not show improvement of proteinuria by supportive therapy, and for patients with severe nephrotic syndrome at presentation due to the high risk of developing ESKD. The efficacy and safety of different immunosuppressive regimens are unclear. This is an update of a Cochrane review, first published in 2004 and updated in 2013.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of different immunosuppressive treatments for adult patients with PMN and nephrotic syndrome.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 1 April 2021 with support from the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register were identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating effects of immunosuppression in adults with PMN and nephrotic syndrome were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and data synthesis were performed using Cochrane-recommended methods. Summary estimates of effect were obtained using a random-effects model, and results were expressed as risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes, and mean difference (MD) and 95% CI for continuous outcomes. Confidence in the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

MAIN RESULTS

Sixty-five studies (3807 patients) were included. Most studies exhibited a high risk of bias for the domains, blinding of study personnel, participants and outcome assessors, and most studies were judged unclear for randomisation sequence generation and allocation concealment. Immunosuppressive treatment versus placebo/no treatment/non-immunosuppressive treatment In moderate certainty evidence, immunosuppressive treatment probably makes little or no difference to death, probably reduces the overall risk of ESKD (16 studies, 944 participants: RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.99; I² = 22%), probably increases total remission (complete and partial) (6 studies, 879 participants: RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.97; I² = 73%) and complete remission (16 studies, 879 participants: RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.75; I² = 43%), and probably decreases the number with doubling of serum creatinine (SCr) (9 studies, 447 participants: RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.80; I² = 21%). However, immunosuppressive treatment may increase the number of patients relapsing after complete or partial remission (3 studies, 148 participants): RR 1.73, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.86; I² = 0%) and may lead to a greater number experiencing temporary or permanent discontinuation/hospitalisation due to adverse events (18 studies, 927 participants: RR 5.33, 95% CI 2.19 to 12.98; I² = 0%). Immunosuppressive treatment has uncertain effects on infection and malignancy. Oral alkylating agents with or without steroids versus placebo/no treatment/steroids Oral alkylating agents with or without steroids had uncertain effects on death but may reduce the overall risk of ESKD (9 studies, 537 participants: RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.74; I² = 0%; low certainty evidence). Total (9 studies, 468 participants: RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.82; I² = 70%) and complete remission (8 studies, 432 participants: RR 2.12, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.38; I² = 37%) may increase, but had uncertain effects on the number of patients relapsing, and decreasing the number with doubling of SCr. Alkylating agents may be associated with a higher rate of adverse events leading to discontinuation or hospitalisation (8 studies 439 participants: RR 6.82, 95% CI 2.24 to 20.71; I² = 0%). Oral alkylating agents with or without steroids had uncertain effects on infection and malignancy. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) with or without steroids versus placebo/no treatment/supportive therapy/steroids We are uncertain whether CNI with or without steroids increased or decreased the risk of death or ESKD, increased or decreased total or complete remission, or reduced relapse after complete or partial remission (low to very low certainty evidence). CNI also had uncertain effects on decreasing the number with a doubling of SCr, temporary or permanent discontinuation or hospitalisation due to adverse events, infection, or malignancy. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) with or without steroids versus alkylating agents with or without steroids We are uncertain whether CNI with or without steroids increases or decreases the risk of death or ESKD. CNI with or without steroids may make little or no difference to total remission (10 studies, 538 participants: RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.15; I² = 53%; moderate certainty evidence) or complete remission (10 studies, 538 participants: RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.56; I² = 56%; low certainty evidence). CNI with or without steroids may increase relapse after complete or partial remission. CNI with or without steroids had uncertain effects on SCr increase, adverse events, infection, and malignancy. Other immunosuppressive treatments Other interventions included azathioprine, mizoribine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, traditional Chinese medicines, and monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab. There were insufficient data to draw conclusions on these treatments.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This updated review strengthened the evidence that immunosuppressive therapy is probably superior to non-immunosuppressive therapy in inducing remission and reducing the number of patients that progress to ESKD. However, these benefits need to be balanced against the side effects of immunosuppressive drugs. The number of included studies with high-quality design was relatively small and most studies did not have adequate follow-up. Clinicians should inform their patients of the lack of high-quality evidence. An alkylating agent (cyclophosphamide or chlorambucil) combined with a corticosteroid regimen had short- and long-term benefits, but this was associated with a higher rate of adverse events. CNI (tacrolimus and cyclosporin) showed equivalency with alkylating agents however, the certainty of this evidence remains low. Novel immunosuppressive treatments with the biologic rituximab or use of adrenocorticotropic hormone require further investigation and validation in large and high-quality RCTs.

A Review of the Current Practice of Diagnosis and Treatment of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy in China

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), a common pathological type of nephrotic syndrome, is one of the main causes of kidney failure. With an increasing prevalence, IMN has received considerable attention in China. Based on recent studies, we discuss advances in the diagnosis of IMN and the understanding of its genetic background. Although the pathogenesis of IMN remains unclear, our understanding has been substantially enhanced by the discovery of new antigens such as phospholipase A₂ receptor, thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing 7A, exostosin1/exostosin2, neural epidermal growth factor-like 1 protein, neural cell adhesion molecule 1, semaphorin 3B, and factor H autoantibody. However, due to ethnic, environmental, economic, and lifestyle differences and other factors, a consensus has not yet been reached regarding IMN treatment. In view of the differences between Eastern and Western populations, in-depth clinical evaluations of biomarkers for IMN diagnosis are necessary. This review details the current treatment strategies for IMN in China, including renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, corticosteroid monotherapy, cyclophosphamide, calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate mofetil, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and traditional Chinese medicine, as well as biological preparations such as rituximab. In terms of management, the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guidelines do not fully consider the characteristics of the Chinese population. Therefore, this review aims to present the current status of IMN diagnosis and treatment in Chinese patients, and includes a discussion of new approaches and remaining clinical challenges.

The impact of coexisting diabetes mellitus on clinical outcomes in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is frequently coexisted with diabetes mellitus (DM). Few researches investigate clinical outcomes in IMN patients coexisting diabetes mellitus (DM), including remission rates, renal survival and complications. Concurrent DM also pose therapeutic challenges to IMN patients due to the influence of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressant on metabolic disorders. We performed this study to investigate the impact of DM on clinical outcomes in IMN and the influence of therapeutic regime on metabolic parameters in diabetic IMN patients.

METHODS

Two hundred and six adult hospitalized patients diagnosed with biopsy-proven IMN were retrospectively studied, including 42 patients coexisted with DM. Clinical outcomes including remission rates, renal outcome and complications were compared between groups. Impact of cyclophosphamide and ciclosporin on metabolism and complications were analyzed in IMN patients coexisting DM.

RESULTS

IMN patients coexisted with DM were presented with advanced age, lower level of eGFR and hemoglobin. Patients coexisted with DM experienced worse renal function deterioration and higher incidence of infection. COX regression analysis showed that DM was an independent risk factor for renal function deterioration in IMN patients. There was no significant difference in remission rates and incidence of venous thromboembolism between two groups. Further exploration on the impact of therapeutic regimens on complications and metabolism showed that cyclophosphamide and ciclosporin had no significant difference in incidence of complications including infection and venous thromboembolism, and posed comparable influences on blood glucose, uric acid and blood lipids in IMN patients coexisted with DM.

CONCLUSION

Coexisting DM was an independent risk factor for renal function deterioration in IMN patients but did not influence the remission of proteinuria. Glucocorticoids in combination with cyclophosphamide or ciclosporine had similar impact on complications and metabolic index including blood glucose, uric acid and blood lipids in IMN patients coexisted with DM.

Low-dose cyclosporine in treatment of membranous nephropathy with nephrotic syndrome: effectiveness and renal safety

BACKGROUND

To observe effectiveness and renal safety of long-term low-dose cyclosporine in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).

METHODS

Sixty-eight patients were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Renal endpoint was defined as a decrease in eGFR ≥50% from baseline and a development of eGFR ≤60 ml/min/1.73m².

RESULTS

A cyclosporine dose of 2.0 ± 0.5 mg/kg/d and a prednisone of 0.3 ± 0.2 mg/kg/d were prescribed. The duration of cyclosporine treatment was 27 (3-80) months. The overall remission rate was 91% with a relapse rate of 42%. Fourteen patients had cyclosporine-related acute renal injury (CsA-ARI) within the first three months, and 16 patients had cyclosporine related chronic renal injury (CsA-CRI) within the first year. At the end of follow-up (50 ± 18 months), 16 patients (24%) reached renal endpoint. Presence of intimal fibrosis of small artery and higher time-averaged proteinuria were identified as independent risk factors for renal endpoint. RAS inhibition treatment decreased the risk of poor renal outcome. Patients in CsA-ARI group had the highest proteinuria at the third month, the highest time-average proteinuria and the highest proportion of cases reaching renal endpoint. Patients with CsA-CRI were of the oldest age and with the lowest baseline eGFR.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose cyclosporine is effective in treating IMN. CsA-ARI and no response in proteinuria during the first three months of cyclosporine treatment had the lowest benefit/risk ratio, and these patients should be switched to non-calcineurin-inhibitor based regimen. Patients of older age, with lower baseline eGFR, or having intimal sclerosis of small artery, are more likely to develop progressive renal dysfunction.