Anti-Phospholipase A2 Receptor 1 and Anti-Cysteine Rich Antibodies, Domain Recognition and Rituximab Efficacy in Membranous Nephropathy: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Rationale & Objective: Proteinuria and anti-phospholipase A receptor 1 (anti-PLAR1) antibody titers are associated with primary membranous nephropathy (MN) outcomes. We evaluated the association of antibodies against the cysteine-rich (CysR) and C-type lectin 1, 7, and 8 (CTLD1, CTLD7, and CTLD8) domains of PLAR1 with MN outcomes.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Ofatumumab in Rituximab-Resistant and Rituximab-Intolerant Patients With Primary Membranous Nephropathy: A Case Series.

Rationale & Objective: Rituximab is the first-choice therapy for patients with primary membranous nephropathy (MN) and nephrotic syndrome. However, approximately 30% of patients are treatment-resistant or become treatment-intolerant with hypersensitivity reactions upon repeated drug exposures. We aimed to assess whether ofatumumab, a fully human second-generation anti-CD20 antibody, could be a valuable alternative to rituximab in this population.

Accelerating the Depletion of Circulating Anti-Phospholipase A2 Receptor Antibodies in Patients with Severe Membranous Nephropathy: Preliminary Findings with Double Filtration Plasmapheresis and Ofatumumab.

Patients with membranous nephropathy (MN) and persistent nephrotic syndrome (NS) are at increased risk of -progression to end-stage renal disease. The discovery of -autoantibodies against the podocyte-expressed M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) provided a clear pathophysiological rationale for interventions targeting the B-cell lineage to prevent antibody production and subepithelial immune-complex deposition. The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, rituximab and ofatumumab, are safe and achieve remission of NS in approximately two-thirds of patients with MN.

C5 Convertase Blockade in Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis: A Single-Arm Clinical Trial.

Rationale & Objective: Primary membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a rare glomerulopathy characterized by complement dysregulation. MPGN progresses rapidly to kidney failure when it is associated with nephrotic syndrome. We assessed the effects of C5 convertase blockade in patients with MPGN and terminal complement activation.

Low-dose RATG with or without basiliximab in renal transplantation: a matched-cohort observational study.

Background/aims: In renal transplantation, peri-operative low-dose rabbit-antithymocyte-globulin (RATG) plus basiliximab induction prevented acute allograft rejection more effectively than post-operative RATG plus basiliximab induction. We investigated the specific antirejection contribution of basiliximab in this context.

Methods: This single-center, observational, matched-cohort study evaluated allograft rejections (primary outcome), steroid exposure and side effects, GFR (iohexol plasma clearance) and treatment costs in 16 deceased-donor renal transplant recipients induced with RATG (0.

Perioperative Minimal Induction Therapy: A Further Step toward More Effective Immunosuppression in Transplantation.

Dual induction with low doses of rabbit anti-human thymoglobulin (RATG) and basiliximab effectively and safely prevented allograft rejection in high-risk renal transplant recipients. To assess whether treatment timing affects efficacy and tolerability, in this single-center, matched-cohort study, we compared posttransplant outcomes in 25 patients and 50 gender-, age-, and treatment-matched reference patients induced with the same course of 7 daily RATG infusions (0.5 mg/kg/day) started before or after engraftment, respectively.