Abatacept efficacy in steroid-resistant minimal-change disease revealed by the speed of proteinuria reduction after the start of abatacept
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A unique characteristic of the response of minimal-change disease (MCD) or focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) to steroid therapy is that the remission of proteinuria occurs quickly, for example, within 4 - 6 weeks of the onset of steroid therapy, even in those with severe nephrotic syndrome. Remission of proteinuria in MCD and FSGS can also occur spontaneously (not steroid induced). However, spontaneous remission usually proceeds over several months or longer. Recently, there have been several reports that abatacept can induce proteinuria remission in MCD and FSGS. These claims, however, are dubious because either the remission occurred slowly over several months of abatacept therapy, or remission occurred within a few weeks of abatacept therapy, but the patient was also receiving therapies that could have accounted for the remission of proteinuria. Our case is unique in that his severe steroid- and cyclosporine-resistant MCD remitted acutely while receiving abatacept, and there was no other plausible explanation for the acute remission of his MCD.
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