Nephrol Dial Transplant (2001) 16: 2013-2017
© 2001 European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association
Pulse cyclophosphamide therapy in frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome
1 Department of Nephrology and 2 Department of Biostatistics, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, India
Background. The treatment of frequently relapsing (FR) and steroid-dependent (SD) idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) with oral cyclophosphamide (OCP) poses problems of compliance, side-effects and infections.
Methods. We prospectively evaluated the usefulness of intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCP) in children with steroid sensitive INS who were frequent relapsers or steroid dependent. Fifty-one children were included in the study of whom 22 were FR and 29 were SD. IVCP was administered in a dose of 500 mg/m2/month for 6 months after achieving a steroid-induced remission. The response to IVCP was evaluated in terms of remission, change in the steroid response status of the patient, duration of remission (i.e. proteinuria-free days), side effects and compliance with therapy.
Results. The proteinuria-free days (mean 19.9±3.5 before IVCP therapy vs 1256±167 days after IVCP therapy) (P<0.00001), and serum albumin levels (23±1.6 g/l before IVCP therapy vs 34±2 g/l after IVCP therapy) (P<0.001) were significantly higher following IVCP therapy. The cumulative remission rate in the study group was 49% at 5 years and was comparable to that achieved with oral cyclophosphamide at a 40% lower cumulative dose.
Conclusions. We conclude that IVCP is a safe and effective therapeutic modality in children with INS who are FR and SD. Its efficacy is comparable to the results obtained with oral cyclophosphamide based on historical comparisons with previous studies.
Keywords: cyclophosphamide; frequent relapses; nephrotic syndrome
Correspondence and offprint requests to: Dr Sanjeev Gulati, Assistant Professor, Department of Nephrology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226014, India. Email: sgulati{at}sgpgi.ac.in
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  A. F. Donia, S. H. Gazareen, H. A. Ahmed, F. E. Moustafa, A. A. Shoeib, A. M. Ismail, S. Khamis, and M. A. Sobh Pulse cyclophosphamide inadequately suppresses reoccurrence of minimal change nephrotic syndrome in corticoid-dependent children Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., October 1, 2003; 18(10): 2054 - 2058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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