Treatment of membranous nephropathy

Several therapeutic approaches have been tried in patients with membranous nephropathy. Corticosteroids have been largely used, but a meta-analysis of the available controlled trials did not show any benefit of corticosteroid s either in favouring remission of the nephrotic syndrome or in preventing renal dysfunction. Controversial results have been obtained with cytotoxic agents. Unfortunately, most of the available trials were small in size and had short-term follow-ups. Three controlled trials evaluated the role of a 6-month treatment with methylprednisolone and chlorambucil. The first trial showed that the 10-year renal survival rate was 92% in treated patients co mpared with 60% in untreated controls. A second trial compared the effects of methylprednisolone/chlorambucil with those of methylprednisolone alone. The combined treatment achieved remission of nephrotic syndrome in 64% of c ases vs 38% in patients given steroids alone. A third trial showed equivale nt results in patients randomized to be given methylprednisolone. I chloram bucil or methylprednisolone/cyclophosphamide. A number of non-controlled St udies and a randomized trial also showed the efficacy of cyclosporine in re ducing proteinuria. In many but not all cases. proteinuria reappeared when cyclosporine was stopped. In conclusion, although the treatment of membrano us nephropathy remains difficult, some therapeutical approaches have proved to favour remission and protect renal function.