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First-line and Second-line Therapy of Zuberitamab in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy: A Single-center Retrospective Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Rationale & Objective: Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is a major cause of nephrotic syndrome. Although rituximab has improved outcomes, resistance or intolerance occurs in a subset of patients. Zuberitamab, a chimeric anti-CD20 immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody, may offer an alternative therapeutic option. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of zuberitamab in patients with phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-associated IMN. Study Design: Single-center, retrospective observational cohort study. Setting & Participants: Sixty patients with biopsy-proven or serologically diagnosed PLA2R-associated IMN were treated with zuberitamab at Henan Provincial People's Hospital between July 2023 and June 2024. Thirty-five received zuberitamab as first-line therapy; 25 received it as second-line therapy following prior immunosuppressive treatment. Interventions: Zuberitamab infusions administered in 2-3 doses over several months, guided by B-cell kinetics. Outcomes: The primary outcome was complete or partial remission of proteinuria at 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in serum albumin, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, CD19+ B cells, and anti-PLA2R antibody titers. Results: = 0.29). No serious adverse events were observed. Limitations: Single-center, retrospective design; short follow-up; no direct comparator group; incomplete biomarker data owing to testing limitations. Conclusions: Zuberitamab was associated with favorable clinical and immunologic responses in patients with IMN, including those previously treated with rituximab. These findings support its potential role as a therapeutic option, warranting further validation in prospective studies.

Source: Kidney Medicine

DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2025.101182

Authors: Linna Wang, Miaomiao Yang, Lei Yan, Fengmin Shao

Institution: Henan Provincial People's Hospital

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: $2,590