TITLE:
Four-Year Maintenance Therapy with Cyclosporin A for Patients with Steroid-Refractory Idiopathic Minimal Change Disease Allergic to Rituximab
AUTHORS:
Kamel El-Reshaid, Shaikha Al-Bader, Hossameldin Tawfik Sallam, John Patrick Madda
KEYWORDS:
Corticosteroids, Cyclosporin A, Rituximab, Nephrotic Syndrome, Minimal Change Disease, Maintenance, Therapy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nephrology,
Vol.14 No.4,
November
27,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Patients with Steroid-Refractory Idiopathic Minimal change disease (SRIM) have high morbidity and mortality and inherent side effects of immunosuppressive therapy. Except for its cost, R has been shown to be the most practical, safe and effective maintenance therapy for patients with multiple glomerulopathy, including those with SRIM. Being a monoclonal antibody, hypersensitivity reactions are common, and its use is limited in 10% of treated patients. Cyclosporin A (Cy) was a useful alternative, yet it had the potential for chronic interstitial fibrosis in the long term. Hence, a safe management protocol, for its use, was sought. Patients and methods: Over the past 10 years a total of 35 patients were treated with Cyc for SRIM, 11 of whom were children (