Rituximab in combination with multidrug therapy for refractory steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: report of two cases

Abstract

We encountered two cases of a 1-year-old boy with refractory steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Their treatment regimens included prednisolone and cyclosporine, but did not result in complete remission. After receiving rituximab, the boy in case 1 was able to maintain an incomplete remission with low-dose cyclosporine alone, and the boy in case 2 was able to maintain a complete remission without any medication. In both cases, no genetic abnormalities were found in the analysis. Rituximab may be effective in refractory SRNS without genetic abnormalities.