TY - JOUR
T1 - Rituximab-induced depletion of anti-PLA2R autoantibodies predicts response in membranous nephropathy
AU - Beck, Laurence H.
AU - Fervenza, Fernando C.
AU - Beck, David M.
AU - Bonegio, Ramon G.B.
AU - Malik, Fahim A.
AU - Erickson, Stephen B.
AU - Cosio, Fernando G.
AU - Cattran, Daniel C.
AU - Salant, David J.
PY - 2011/8
Y1 - 2011/8
N2 - Autoantibodies to the M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA 2R) are sensitive and specific for idiopathic membranous nephropathy. The anti-B cell agent rituximab is a promising therapy for this disease, but biomarkers of early response to treatment currently do not exist. Here, we investigated whether levels of anti-PLA2R correlate with the immunological activity of membranous nephropathy, potentially exhibiting a more rapid response to treatment than clinical parameters such as proteinuria. We measured the amount of anti-PLA2R using Western blot immunoassay in serial serum samples from a total of 35 patients treated with rituximab for membranous nephropathy in two distinct cohorts. Pretreatment samples from 25 of 35 (71%) patients contained anti-PLA2R, and these autoantibodies declined or disappeared in 17 (68%) of these patients within 12 months after rituximab. Those who demonstrated this immunologic response fared better clinically: 59% and 88% attained complete or partial remission by 12 and 24 months, respectively, compared with 0% and 33% among those with persistent anti-PLA2R levels. Changes in antibody levels preceded changes in proteinuria. One subject who relapsed during follow-up had a concomitant return of anti-PLA2R. In summary, measuring anti-PLA2R levels by immunoassay may be a method to follow and predict response to treatment with rituximab in membranous nephropathy.
AB - Autoantibodies to the M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA 2R) are sensitive and specific for idiopathic membranous nephropathy. The anti-B cell agent rituximab is a promising therapy for this disease, but biomarkers of early response to treatment currently do not exist. Here, we investigated whether levels of anti-PLA2R correlate with the immunological activity of membranous nephropathy, potentially exhibiting a more rapid response to treatment than clinical parameters such as proteinuria. We measured the amount of anti-PLA2R using Western blot immunoassay in serial serum samples from a total of 35 patients treated with rituximab for membranous nephropathy in two distinct cohorts. Pretreatment samples from 25 of 35 (71%) patients contained anti-PLA2R, and these autoantibodies declined or disappeared in 17 (68%) of these patients within 12 months after rituximab. Those who demonstrated this immunologic response fared better clinically: 59% and 88% attained complete or partial remission by 12 and 24 months, respectively, compared with 0% and 33% among those with persistent anti-PLA2R levels. Changes in antibody levels preceded changes in proteinuria. One subject who relapsed during follow-up had a concomitant return of anti-PLA2R. In summary, measuring anti-PLA2R levels by immunoassay may be a method to follow and predict response to treatment with rituximab in membranous nephropathy.
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U2 - 10.1681/ASN.2010111125
DO - 10.1681/ASN.2010111125
M3 - Article
C2 - 21784898
AN - SCOPUS:79960948754
SN - 1046-6673
VL - 22
SP - 1543
EP - 1550
JO - Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
JF - Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
IS - 8
ER -