Immunoadsorbtion and rituximab therapy in a second living-related kidney transplant patient with recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Transpl Int. 2007 Dec;20(12):1066-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2007.00562.x. Epub 2007 Sep 20.

Abstract

A 29-year-old patient with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and recurrence of the disease in a living donor kidney transplant received a second living-related kidney graft. She received pre- and postoperative immunoadsorptions and immunosuppression with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, basiliximab and steroids. Serum creatinine returned to normal values and only minor proteinuria was detected post-transplant (400 mg/24 h). However, recurrence of proteinuria with up to 3.3 g/24 h occurred 2 months after transplantation and the patient underwent intermediate immunoadsorption sessions with immediate reduction of proteinuria for the following year. She then received three doses of rituximab (600 mg, 375 mg/m(2)) that caused immediate reduction of proteinuria with only minimal increase in the following 12 months. Graft function is excellent 2 years after transplantation. These findings suggest that intermittent immunoadsorption combined with B-cell depletion by rituximab treatment induced prolonged reduction of proteinuria in a high-risk patient for recurrence of FSGS in the graft.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Female
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / drug therapy*
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / prevention & control
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Living Donors
  • Reoperation
  • Rituximab
  • Secondary Prevention

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Rituximab