LONG-TERM CYCLOSPORINE-A THERAPY FOR SEVERE IDIOPATHIC MEMBRANOUS NEPHROPATHY

Fifteen patients with nephrotic idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN) with predictors of poor outcome were treated with a long cyclosporin A (CyA) regimen at the dose of 4-5 mg/kg/day for a median period of 15 months (range 12-30). Four of the 15 patients did not respond to CyA, and the therapy was discontinued after 4 months. A partial remission (proteinuria < 2 g/day) was observed in 7 of 15 patients and a complete remission (proteinuria < 0.2 g/day) in 4 of 15 patients; good results (partial + complete remission) were, thus, obtained in 11 of 15 patients (73%). Two patients are still receiving therapy. A relapse of the nephrotic syndrome occurred in 3 of 9 patients on withdrawal of CyA, but the relapse remained sensitive to CyA. Side effects were mild. We conclude that CyA may be efficient in the treatment of MN and should be evaluated in controlled trials.