An in vitro steroid sensitivity test: antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) reaction of peripheral lymphocytes in children with nephrotic syndrome.

A steroid effect is described that can be measured in vitro; this was determined by means of the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) method. Examinations on 15 children with nephrotic syndrome revealed a significant correlation between the steroid sensitivity measured in vitro and the clinical sensitivity to prednisolone. The in vitro measurement of steroid sensitivity yielded fast and reliable information on the effectivity of prednisolone treatment.