Author:
Rheault Michelle N.,Amaral Sandra,Bock Margret,Chambers Eileen Tsai,Chavers Blanche,Ters Mireile El,Garro Rouba,Gbadegesin Rasheed,Govil Amit,Harshman Lyndsay,Amer Hatem,Hooper David K.,Israni Ajay K.,Riad Samy,Sageshima Junichiro,Shapiro Ron,Seifert Michael,Smith Jodi,Sung Randall,Thomas Christie P.,Wang Qi,Verghese Priya S.
Abstract
BackgroundFocal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of end-stage kidney disease requiring kidney transplantation and can recur in the allograft in 30-80% of recipients resulting in reduced graft survival. Plasmapheresis has shown efficacy in treating some cases of recurrent FSGS but isolated plasmapheresis has not demonstrated efficacy in preventing recurrent FSGS. Rituximab has had anecdotal success in preventing recurrence in a single center study but has not been studied in combination with plasmapheresis for preventing FSGS recurrence.MethodsWe are conducting a randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial of adult and pediatric kidney transplant recipients with primary FSGS to assess whether plasmapheresis in combination with rituximab prevents recurrent disease post-transplantation.DiscussionRituximab combined with plasmapheresis is a promising, novel therapy to prevent recurrent FSGS, a disease with limited therapeutic options and no consensus guidelines for prevention or treatment.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03763643, identifier NCT03763643.
Funder
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs