Cyclophosphamide alone in the treatment of adult patients with minimal change glomerulonephritis

Eight adult patients with the nephrotic syndrome due to "minimal change" glomerulonephritis have been treated with cyclophosphamide alone. The effects of therapy have been compared with a similar group of patients treated with conventional diuretic therapy. Complete remission was achieved in seven of the cyclophosphamide treated patients as compared to only two spontaneous remissions in the untreated group. After a mean follow up period of 6 years none of these 9 patients relapsed. The eighth patient treated with cyclophosphamide remitted spontaneously 21 months after stopping cyclophosphamide and relapsed 36 months later. No serious side effects were encountered in the treated patients. The results suggest that cyclophosphamide is an effective agent in the management of adults with the nephrotic syndrome due to "minimal change" glomerulonephritis.