Advances in treatment: immunoglobulin A nephropathy

In this article, we consider a number of treatment options for patients with IgA nephropathy. Major emphasis will be placed on the use of corticosteroids and fish oil capsules because these have shown the most promise in recent publications. We also consider the specific management of two patients with severe manifestations of this disease and describe their responses. Finally, we consider future avenues of research into the treatment of IgA nephropathy. This includes a brief description of a three-arm multicenter, placebo-controlled study evaluating alternate-day prednisone and highly purified fish oil concentrate (Omacor) in children and young adults with moderately severe forms of IgA nephropathy.