A Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Clinical Trial Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab Combined With Corticosteroids or Rituximab Monotherapy in Primary Membranous Nephropathy
This was a prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial. Seventy-eight patients with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) were randomly divided into intervention or control group. Intervention group was given rituximab combined with corticosteroids in induction therapy and the control group was given rituximab monotherapy. After 6 months, patients who had decreased 24h urinary protein by \> 25% but did not achieve CR were given rituximab maintenance therapy. The complete response rate at 12 months was measured.
• Men and women aged 18-75 years;
• Patients diagnosed as primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) by renal biopsy;
• After treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs for at least 3 months, the following two points were met (unless intolerance to ACE inhibitors or ARBs, contraindications, hypotension that may cause side effects, or the investigator judged that the patient was not suitable for RAS inhibitors):
⁃ (1) Those who have an average 24-hour urine protein ≥ 3.5g twice a week, or an average 24-hour urine protein ≥ 5g twice in 14 days, the requirement of RASi for at least 3 months is not required (2) Blood pressure≤ 130/80mmHg, 4. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30mL/min/1.73m2 (calculated according to the CKD-EPI formula) 5. If female, must be postmenopausal or postoperatively infertile or on medical contraception (considering the potential risk of thromboembolism in patients with kidney disease); 6. Subjects voluntarily signed the informed consent form;