Interní Med. 2007; 9(9): 382-384

New approaches to the treatment of glomerulonephritis

MUDr. Jan Svojanovský, doc. MUDr. Kamil Ševela CSc, doc. MUDr. Miroslav Souček CSc

II. interní klinika FN u sv. Anny LF MU, Brno

At present, beside corticoids, cytostatics (cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil) and more recent immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, mycophenolate), biological therapy has also been coming into use in the treatment of glomerulonephritides. The most extensive experience has been made with high doses of intravenous immunoglobulins and with anti-TNF therapy in ANCA-associated vasculitis. The therapy with rituximab in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, lupus nephritis, and membranous nephropathy is also promising. The main goal of these new approaches is primarily to decrease the risk of chronic toxicity caused by the cytostatic therapy. Thus, current indication is the treatment of patients with a disease which is refractory to standard therapy and those patients who, in view of the frequent relapses, require repeated treatment with cytostatic immunosuppressants. A further potential group of interest is patients who do not tolerate standard therapy due to adverse effects.

Keywords: glomerulonephritis, ANCA, associated nephritis, membranous nephropathy, lupus nephritis, biological therapy

Published: January 1, 2008  Show citation