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Tables
- Table 6.
Summary of the most common IST protocols for treating patients with primary membranous nephropathy (56–60,93)
IST Regimen Drug, Dose Comments Cytotoxic drugs KDIGO first choice Modified Ponticelli Months 1, 3, 5: 1 g methylprednisolone iv on days 1, 2, and 3 followed by oral prednisone, 0.5 mg/kg daily for 27 d Monitor Uprotein and WBC weekly ×8, then every 2 mo; daily oral prednisone and cyclophosphamide may have similar efficacy. Increased risk of malignancy above 36 g Months 2, 4, 6: 2.0–2.5 mg/kg oral cyclophosphamide daily Relapse rate 20%–30% Dutch protocol Months 1, 3, 5: 1 g MP days 1–3 followed by oral prednisone, 0.5–1.0 mg/kg for 6 mo, then taper Same as above Oral cyclophosphamide, 1.5–2.0 mg/kg daily for 12 mo CNIs KDIGO second choice Cyclosporin 3.5–5.0 mg/kg daily in divided doses adjusted to level of 120–200 μg/L for 12–18 mo and tapered Used in patients resistant to cytotoxic drugs but can be used as initial therapy. Taper slowly Prednisone 5–10 mg daily or alt days Discontinue at 6 mo if no response Relapse rate 40%–50% Tacrolimus 0.05–0.075 mg/kg daily in two divided doses adjusted to level of 3–5 μg/L for 12–18 mo and taper slowly Same as above Prednisone 5–10 mg/kg per day daily or alt days Preferable in young women B cell depletion Used for patients resistant to cytotoxic drugs or CNIs Utility as initial therapy not yet established by RCTs Rituximab 375 mg/M2 weekly times 4 Follow CD20 counts and repeat dose if counts rise before remission in proteinuria or relapse occurs 375 mg/M2 once and follow CD20 counts 1000 mg on days 1 and 15 ACTH Tetracosactrin (Synacthen) (synthetic) 1 mg IM every 2 wk for 6–12 mo Corticotropin (ACTHAR) (purified) 80 U IM every 2 wk for 6–12 mo IST, immunosuppressive therapy; KDIGO, Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes; WBC, white blood cells; MP, methylprednisolone; CNI, calcineurin inhibitor; alt, alternate; RCT, randomized controlled trial; ACTH, adrenocorticotrophic hormone; IM, intramuscular.