Abstract |
Crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome characterized by crescents which are morphological manifestations of severe glomerular injury. Immunologically, crescentic GN are classified as anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis, immune complex-mediated GN and pauci-immune GN. Conventional treatment for crescentic GN mainly consists of corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and plasma exchange. Plasmapheresis is beneficial for patients with Goodpasture's syndrome and those with severe pauci-immune GN. Recently, new therapeutic agents have emerged, such as monoclonal antibodies to T cells, B cells and cytokines (e.g. anti-CD20 antibodies and TNF-α inhibitors) and signal transduction inhibitors, which may provide satisfactory alternatives. However, most of these treatments have only been established in experimental crescentic GN, described in single cases or reported in open-label trials; thus, the safety and efficacy of these agents remain to be investigated via controlled clinical trials.
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Authors | Xiao Li, Nan Chen |
Journal | Contributions to nephrology
(Contrib Nephrol)
Vol. 181
Pg. 229-39
( 2013)
ISSN: 1662-2782 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 23689584
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel. |
Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Antigen-Antibody Complex
- Autoantibodies
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- antiglomerular basement membrane antibody
- Rituximab
- Mycophenolic Acid
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Topics |
- Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis
(complications)
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
(therapeutic use)
- Antigen-Antibody Complex
(immunology)
- Autoantibodies
(immunology)
- Glomerulonephritis
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Humans
- Mycophenolic Acid
(analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Rituximab
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(antagonists & inhibitors)
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