A single-center, open label, randomized, controlled study of hydroxychloroquine sulfate in the treatment of low risk PLAR-associated membranous nephropathy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) in the treatment of low risk phospholipase A receptor (PLAR)-associated membranous nephropathy (MN).

Methods: A total of 110 patients with low risk PLAR-associated MN were included in the study. Patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were assigned randomly to two groups: the HCQ treatment group and the control group. The control group received standard supportive treatment according to the guidelines, while the HCQ treatment group received HCQ in addition to the supportive treatment. The clinical data of the patients were analyzed, with comparisons made at baseline and during the six-month follow-up period. Any adverse reactions were recorded.

Results: The baseline data were comparable between the HCQ treatment group and the control group. At the end of the six-month follow-up period, the reductions in urine protein excretion and serum PLAR antibody titer were more notable in the HCQ treatment group than those in the control group, with these differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the HCQ treatment group had fewer patients who were converted from low risk to moderate-to-high risk (p = 0.084). There were also no severe adverse reactions in the HCQ treatment group.

Conclusion: In patients with low risk PLAR-associated MN, adequate supportive therapy combined with HCQ is superior to supportive therapy alone in controlling proteinuria and reducing serum PLAR antibody titers. Additionally, our study demonstrated that the incidence of adverse reactions did not increase.

Trial Registration: This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration No.: ChiCTR1900021757, Date of registration: 2019-03-08).