What is The Best Choice in Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome: Mycophenolate Mofetil Plus Dexamethasone or...

The use of mycophenolatemofetil (MMF) in the treatment of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) is beneficial in decreasing the relapse rate and/or steroid dose. The effectiveness and long-term results of MMF/dexamethasone (DEX) in the treatment of SDNS are not well known. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficiency, safety, and long-term results of MMF/DEX in patients with SDNS in comparison with cyclosporine A (CsA) in a retrospective single-center trial. Between January 2009 and December 2015, 54 SDNS patients were treated with either MMF/DEX (n = 29) or CsA (n = 25). Relapse rates, relapse-free time, cumulative exposure to corticosteroids, proteinuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were retrospectively evaluated at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after the initiation of treatment. The mean cumulative exposure to corticosteroids for the MMF/DEX and CsA groups was 72.40 ± 71.85 mg/kg/year and 122.31 ± 74.35 mg/kg/year, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the cumulative exposure to corticosteroids in the MMF/DEX group (Z = 3.869; P <0.001). While the mean annual relapse for the MMF/DEX group was 1.07 ± 0.25, it was 1.70 ± 1.01 in the CsA group, and this difference was statistically significant (Z = 1.968; P = 0.049). Relapse-free time for the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd years compared between the MMF/DEX and CsA groups was 9.57 ± 2.58 versus 6.38 ± 2.43, 10.27 ± 1.98 versus 8.28 ± 2.28, and 9.67 ± 2.06 versus 6.52 ± 3.04, respectively. The difference was significantly higher in favor of MMF/DEX (between-subject effects F = 48.352; P<0.001). Both eGFR and proteinuria significantly changed over time. However, there was no significant difference between the groups until the later time points of the follow-up. The difference became evident only at the 2^nd-and 3^rd-year measurements. MMF/DEX seems superior to CsA in preventing relapses and reducing cumulative exposure to cortico-steroids. Thus, it may be considered a treatment option in children with SDNS.