Therapy of Rituximab in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy with Nephrotic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) with nephrotic syndrome with a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Clinical Trials (December 2016) were searched to identify researches investigating the treatment of RTX in adult patients with biopsy-proven IMN. Complete remission (CR) or partial remission was regarded as effective therapy, and the cumulated remission rate was calculated. Result Seven studies involved 120 patients (73% were men) were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. All were prospective observation cohort studies or matched-cohort studies, mainly came from two medical centers, and one study was multi-centric (four nephrology units in northern Italy). The creatinine clearance was more than 20 ml/(min·1.73 m) and persistent proteinuria higher than 3.5 g/d for at least 6 months. All patients received treatment previously [44 (36.7%) had immunosuppressive treatment]. In 12- and 24-month, 56% (95%CI, 0.47-0.65) and 68% (95%CI, 0.41-0.87) patients could reach remission, while 15% (95%CI, 0.09-0.23) and 20% (95%CI, 0.12-0.32) patients could reach CR. The reduction in proteinuria was gradual and obvious, paralleled with upward trend of serum albumin level and decreasing serum cholesterol level. Renal functions were stable. Relapses happened in 24 months were around 8%. RTX related adverse events were mild and were mostly infusion-related reactions. Conclusions RTX treatment in IMN was efficient, well tolerated and safe. More than 60% patients can reach partial remission or CR in 24 months, and relapse is rare. Adverse events of RTX are mostly infusion-related reactions and generally mild.