Inpharma 1595 - 7 Jul 2007

■ Rituximab appears to be a promising treatmentfor patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome,according to researchers from India and the US. Intheir trial,* five such patients (aged 2.8–16.0 years)were administered IV rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly for4 weeks; continuation of treatment with calcineurininhibitors, alternate-day prednisolone or both wasallowed. After a median of 4 weeks, completeremission was achieved by four patients and partialremission was achieved by one. Despite tapering ofcorticosteroid and calcineurin inhibitor therapies,complete remission was maintained in three patients,after 6 months. Overall, significant improvementswere seen in the mean urinary protein to creatinineratio, the mean serum albumin level, and the meancholesterol level.* supported in part by Roche India

Bagga A, et al. Rituximab in patients with the steroid-resistant nephroticsyndrome. New England Journal of Medicine 356: 2751-2752, No. 26, 28 Jun2007 801035683

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