TACROLIMUS FOR NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Treatment of nephrotic syndrome in primary glomerulonephritis is mainl y based on immunosuppressive regimens (steroids/chlorambucil/cyclophos phamide) Ciclosporine A has in recent years been shown to be effective in minimal changes glomerulonephritis, in focal sclerosing glomerulon ephritis and in membranous glomerulonephritis. Tacrolimus has been sho wn to be effective in kidney and liver transplantation with regard to prevention of the number of acute rejection episodes and in the treatm ent of steroid-resistant rejection (in contrast to ciclosporin A). The present report summarizes the promising results of pilot studies/case reports where tacrolimus had been used for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in primary glomerulonephritis and in recurrent disease. The efficacy of tacrolimus for treatment of nephrotic syndrome has to be s tudied in prospective, randomized studies.