Rituximab-Induced Depletion of Anti-PLA2R Autoantibodies Predicts Response in Membranous Nephropathy

• Published in: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology Vol. 22; no. 8; pp. 1543 - 1550
• Main Authors: Beck, Laurence H., Fervenza, Fernando C., Beck, David M., Bonegio, Ramon G.B., Malik, Fahim A., Erickson, Stephen B., Cosio, Fernando G., Cattran, Daniel C., Salant, David J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society of Nephrology 01.08.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal - chemistry; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived - pharmacology; Autoantibodies - chemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Clinical Research; Cohort Studies; Female; Glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous - drug therapy; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous - immunology; Humans; Immunologic Factors - pharmacology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Nephropathies. Renovascular diseases. Renal failure; Receptors, Phospholipase A2 - chemistry; Receptors, Phospholipase A2 - immunology; Rituximab; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Kidney disease; Antineoplastic agent; Autoimmunity; Nephrology; Urinary system disease; Autoantibody; Rituximab; Monoclonal antibody; Urology; Immunomodulator; Depletion; Treatment; Immunotherapy; Membranous glomerulonephritis; Immunosuppressive agent; Predictive factor

Autoantibodies to the M-type phospholipase A(2) receptor (PLA(2)R) are sensitive and specific for idiopathic membranous nephropathy. The anti-B cell agent rituximab is a promising therapy for this disease, but biomarkers of early response to treatment currently do not exist. Here, we investigated wh...