RItuximab From the FIRst Episode of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome
Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome (MCNS)Minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is an acquired glomerular disease characterized by massive proteinuria occurring in the absence of glomerular inflammatory lesions or immunoglobulin deposits. MCNS represents a frequent cause of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in adults (10% to 25% of cases). The disease typically takes a chronic course characterized by frequent relapses. Until now, exclusive oral steroid therapy at the dose of 1mg/kg/day (max 80 mg/day) for a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 16 weeks (as tolerated) constitutes the first line treatment of adults with MCNS. Despite of successful remission of initial episode, previous case series showed that 56%-76% of patients experience at least one relapse after steroid-induced remission. The recent MSN trial prospectively showed that 57.9% and 70% of adult patients were in complete remission (CR) after 4 and 8 weeks of oral steroids therapy (1mg/kg/day). Among them, 23.1% of patients displayed at least one relapse episode (after one year-follow-up). Although well tolerated, side effects are common in patients with prolonged and/or repeated courses of steroids and alternative regimens seem highly suitable to reduce the risk of subsequent relapse. Rituximab has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic option in patients with steroids dependent-MCNS. In a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in children with frequent relapse or with steroid dependent NS, the authors found that the median relapse free period was significantly longer in the Rituximab group than in the placebo group without significant differences concerning serious adverse events. To our knowledge, its use has never been investigated for the initial episode of MCNS with the aim to reduce the subsequent risk of relapse that is a major concern in the management of MCNS patients. The main objective is to demonstrate, from initial episode of MCNS in adults, once complete remission has occurred, that the use of Rituximab (two injections separated by one week 375mg/m2, with definitive steroids withdrawal after 9 weeks of treatment) may reduce the risk of subsequent MCNS relapse after 12 months of follow-up and may be a safe and an efficient treatment regimen. The study will be a single stage phase IIb, randomized, open-label, parallel group, in a 1:1 ratio, active controlled, multicenter trial testing the efficacy and safety of two injections of Rituximab separated by one week 375mg/m2 from initial episode of biopsy-proven MCNS in adults. Since Rituximab therapy (when initiated in a context of steroid dependency MCNS) seems to be more effective in patients with complete remission and because of recent data from MSN trial showing that 70% of patients were in complete remission of nephrotic syndrome after 8 weeks of steroids, we decided to maximize the potential benefit, to perform randomization of patients after 8 weeks of steroid treatment. A potential risk factor of relapse is the time of CR occurrence, and because some patients reach CR at 4 weeks and others at 8 weeks, a randomization (1:1) with minimization strategy will be done in order to balance this factor between arms. The primary endpoint will be the incidence of MCNS relapse during the 12 months following randomization defined by the recurrence of nephrotic syndrome (urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR) ≥ 300mg/mmol and decreased albumin level (< 30 g/L) in a patient who was in complete remission. Rituximab is currently considered as an effective therapeutic option to maintain remission in patients with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). The goal of this prospective study is to determine the potential interest of the use of Rituximab from the initial episode of MCNS to reduce the risk of subsequent relapse, that is a major concern in the management of MCNS patients.
A Pilot Trial of taVNS for SRNS in Children (kidNEY-VNS)
Nephrotic Syndrome in ChildrenMinimal Change Disease1 moreChildren with steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) are exposed to prolonged courses of immunosuppressant medications. Given the adverse side effect profiles and variable efficacy of these medications, there is an urgent need to identify novel and safe therapies to treat nephrotic syndrome in children. Stimulation of the vagus nerve, which can be activated noninvasively by transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), has immunomodulatory effects mediated by the inflammatory reflex and spleen. taVNS has become a therapy of interest for treating chronic immune mediated illnesses. The aims of the study are (1) To determine the feasibility of protocol implementation and tolerability of taVNS in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in children (2) To establish proof-of-concept and generate statistical estimates of variance parameters and effect sizes for treatment response outcomes in children with nephrotic syndrome randomized to taVNS therapy compared with sham therapy (3) To investigate the effects of taVNS on inflammatory markers in children with nephrotic syndrome.
A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Obinutuzumab Versus MMF in Participants With Childhood...
Childhood Idiopathic Nephrotic SyndromeThis open-label, randomized multicenter study is to assess the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) of obinutuzumab compared with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in children and young adults (aged >= 2-25 years) with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS).
taVNS for FRNS in Children
Nephrotic Syndrome in ChildrenMinimal Change Disease1 moreChildren with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) are exposed to prolonged courses of steroids and other immunosuppressant medications. Given the adverse side effect profiles and variable efficacy of these medications, there is an urgent need to identify novel and safe therapies to treat nephrotic syndrome in children. Stimulation of the vagus nerve, which can be activated non invasively by transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), has immunomodulatory effects mediated by the inflammatory reflex and spleen. taVNS has become a therapy of interest for treating chronic immune mediated illnesses. The aims of the study are (1) To determine the feasibility of protocol implementation and tolerability of taVNS in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in children (2) To establish proof-of-concept and generate statistical estimates of variance parameters and effect sizes for treatment response outcomes in children with nephrotic syndrome randomized to taVNS therapy compared with sham therapy (3) To investigate the effects of taVNS on inflammatory markers in children with nephrotic syndrome.
Active Vitamin D And Reduced Dose Prednisolone for Treatment in Minimal Change Nephropathy
Minimal Change DiseaseNephrotic SyndromeTraditionally MCN is treated with a high dose of prednisolone, which induces remission in 60-90% of patients. Prednisolone treatment contains numerous side effects and the current dose is empiric. Given the lack of efficacy evidence and the risk associated with the currently accepted treatment regimen there is a need to characterize the outcome in MCN further, and to establish new, and potentially less toxic treatment regimens. The aim is to examine if treatment with reduced dose of prednisolone in combination with activated vitamin D is as effective as standard high dose prednisolone in achieving remission and preventing relapse in MCN, and if reduced dose prednisolone is associated with fewer side effects compared to standard dose. Furthermore, the study will examine the influence of prednisolone metabolism on the efficacy and side effects of prednisolone in the treatment of MCN.
Study of Sparsentan Treatment in Pediatrics With Proteinuric Glomerular Diseases
Focal Segmental GlomerulosclerosisMinimal Change Disease3 moreTo evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability of sparsentan oral suspension and assess changes in proteinuria after once-daily dosing over the 108-week treatment period.
Efficacy and Safety of VB119 in Subjects With Minimal Change Disease (MCD) and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis...
Minimal Change DiseaseFocal Segmental GlomerulosclerosisPhase 2, multi-center, proof-of-concept study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VB119 on the maintenance of remission and duration of response in adults with primary MCD or primary FSGS who previously responded to steroid therapy.
Recurrence Post-transplant Observational Study in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Minimal...
Focal Segmental GlomerulosclerosisMinimal Change Disease2 moreThe morbidity of recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD) after transplant is well-recognized and include contemporary reduction in quality of life, edema, early graft loss and mortality. Efforts to understand its mechanisms and improve its treatment have been limited by small sample sizes in single center studies and misclassification in registry studies. Recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms of FSGS in the native kidney has reinvigorated the scientific community to develop a collaborative community to advance research into the epidemiology, mechanisms, interventions, and outcomes. The purpose of RESOLVE is to gather a group of people with FSGS and MCD that have had or will have a kidney transplant to create a bank of information and biospecimens so researchers can more effectively study these diseases.
National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases
Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase DeficiencyAH Amyloidosis85 moreThe goal of this National Registry is to is to collect information from patients with rare kidney diseases, so that it that can be used for research. The purpose of this research is to: Develop Clinical Guidelines for specific rare kidney diseases. These are written recommendations on how to diagnose and treat a medical condition. Audit treatments and outcomes. An audit makes checks to see if what should be done is being done and asks if it could be done better. Further the development of future treatments. Participants will be invited to participate on clinical trials and other studies. The registry has the capacity to feedback relevant information to patients and in conjunction with Patient Knows Best (Home - Patients Know Best), allows patients to provide information themselves, including their own reported quality of life and outcome measures.
Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network
Minimal Change Disease (MCD)Membranous Nephropathy2 moreMinimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and Membranous nephropathy (MN), generate an enormous individual and societal financial burden, accounting for approximately 12% of prevalent end stage renal disease (ESRD) cases (2005) at an annual cost in the US of more than $3 billion. However, the clinical classification of these diseases is widely believed to be inadequate by the scientific community. Given the poor understanding of MCD/FSGS and MN biology, it is not surprising that the available therapies are imperfect. The therapies lack a clear biological basis, and as many families have experienced, they are often not beneficial, and in fact may be significantly toxic. Given these observations, it is essential that research be conducted that address these serious obstacles to effectively caring for patients. In response to a request for applications by the National Institutes of Health, Office of Rare Diseases (NIH, ORD) for the creation of Rare Disease Clinical Research Consortia, a number of affiliated universities joined together with The NephCure Foundation the NIDDK, the ORDR, and the University of Michigan in collaboration towards the establishment of a Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) Rare Diseases Clinical Research Consortium. Through this consortium the investigators hope to understand the fundamental biology of these rare diseases and aim to bank long-term observational data and corresponding biological specimens for researchers to access and further enrich.