Work

Obinutuzumab for treatment of membranous nephropathy in patients positive and negative for the phospholipase A2 receptor antibody: case reports

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in adults. Without treatment, two-thirds of patients with MN develop nonprogressive chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease within 10 years. Obinutuzumab (OBZ), which binds to CD20 and leads to a pronounced depletion of B cells, may elicit a better therapeutic response in patients with refractory MN who do not respond to rituximab or who have recurrent episodes. Methods We describe two MN patients, one positive and one negative for the M-type phospholipase A2 receptor antibody (PLA2R Ab). Both patients had poor responses to rituximab, but had different responses to OBZ. Results The patient positive for PLA2R Ab had an immunologic response, and the patient negative for PLA2R Ab had a nearcomplete clinical response. Discussion OBZ appears to be a suitable alternative when other treatment options are ineffective or contraindicated. The efficacy of OBZ for treatment of refractory MN needs to be verified by large-scale multicenter clinical trials.

Source: Frontiers in Immunology

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1561638

Authors: Jinmeng Wang, Wenfeng Wu, Huiyi Wu

Institutions: Nanfang Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Southern Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Renal Diseases and Glomerulopathies

Subfield: Nephrology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801