Abstract
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis. In the complex pathogenesis of this disease plays a significant role, the production of specific antibodies against the abnormally glycosylated forms of immunoglobulin A1.
Course of IgAN is highly variable, kidney function progressively worsens in 40% of patients, and about half of them develop chronic renal failure over 20 years. The present article briefly summarizes current views on IgAN treatment regarding clinical, laboratory and histological manifestations of the disease.
Essential for the treatment of IgAN are angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. Patients with persistent proteinuria > 1g / 24h and histological signs of active disease in biopsy, evaluated per the MEST score, are indicated for glucocorticoids treatment that can protect kidney in the long term, significantly slow down the decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the development of end-stage renal disease even in patients with GFR < 50ml/min (0,83ml/s).
For patients with severe forms of the disease, we choose combined regiment with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide. Current recommendations for use of other immunosuppressive drugs in IgAN such as azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine A, tacrolimus or rituximab are inconsistent.
Regarding the new treatment options, much hope is being put on budesonide, a glucocorticoid acting locally on the intestinal Peyer's plaques, reducing the production of aberrantly glycosylated forms of IgA1. In the NEFIGAN trial budesonide reduced proteinuria and stabilized GFR in patients with IgAN.