Recurrent IgG4-related Tubulointerstitial Nephritis Successfully Treated With Obinutuzumab: A Case Report and

Shu-Hua Zhu1, Du-Qun Chen1, Ming-Chao Zhang1

  • 1National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China.

Kidney Medicine
|January 8, 2026
PubMed

Currently, Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is treated with glucocorticoids alone or in combination with other immunosuppressants. Although the initial response rate is substantial, the remission rate is suboptimal, and the recurrence rate following rituximab therapy remains high. Here, we report the first patient with IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis who was treated with obinutuzumab after relapse, providing additional insights for future treatment strategies. This case demonstrates that the obinutuzumab induction and maintenance regimen in patients with IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis can maintain prolonged B-cell depletion, rapidly and persistently reduce inflammation and serum IgG4 levels, and reverse functional impairment in some affected organs.

Related Concept Videos

Transcytosis of IgG01:15

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
3.4K
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
780
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
897
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
859