Successful treatment of childhood-onset frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome with mycophenolate mofetil

Abstract

We report two patients, 21 and 22 years old respectively, with childhood-onset minimal change nephrotic syndrome showing frequent relapses. Treatment with cyclosporin-A, cyclophosphamide, mizoribine did not prevent the appearance of new relapses and both patients showed moderate nephrotoxicity induced by cyclosporin-A. The introduction of mycophenolate mofetil (1000-1500mg/day) was followed by a sustained remission in both cases, without secondary side effects. Our observation suggests that mycophenolate mofetil may be useful in maintaining remission in nephrotic patients who manifest toxicity to standard immunosuppressive agents. A prospective controlled study should be performed to evaluate the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in the therapy of nephrotic syndrome.