C3 Glomerulopathy Research Articles

Eculizumab use in a tertiary care nephrology center: data from the Vienna TMA cohort

BackgroundPractice patterns of eculizumab use are not well described. We examined indications for, and outcomes of, eculizumab therapy in a tertiary care nephrology center.MethodsWe used the “Vienna TMA cohort” and the hospital pharmacy database at the Medical University of Vienna to identify patients that received eculizumab treatment between 2012 and 2019. We describe clinical characteristics, details of eculizumab use, and outcomes of patients with complement gene-variant mediated TMA (cTMA), secondary TMA (sTMA) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G).ResultsAs of December 2019, 23 patients received complement blockade at the Division of Nephrology and Dialysis: 15 patients were diagnosed with cTMA, 6 patients with sTMA and 2 patients with C3G. Causes of sTMA were bone marrow transplantation (n = 2), malignant hypertension, malignant tumor, systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome and lung transplantation (each n = 1). Across all indications, patients had a median age of 31 and were predominantly female (78%) and the median duration of treatment was 227 days. Hematological recovery was seen in most patients, while renal response was best in patients with cTMA. Adverse events were recorded in 26%.ConclusionsIn summary, eculizumab is the treatment of choice for cTMA patients that do not respond to plasma therapy. In patients with sTMA and C3G, the response rates to therapy are much lower and therefore, the decision to start therapy needs to be considered carefully.Graphic abstract

Deposition of the Membrane Attack Complex in Healthy and Diseased Human Kidneys.

The membrane attack complex—also known as C5b-9—is the end-product of the classical, lectin, and alternative complement pathways. It is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases by causing cellular injury and tissue inflammation, resulting in sclerosis and fibrosis. These deleterious effects are, consequently, targeted in the development of novel therapies that inhibit the formation of C5b-9, such as eculizumab. To clarify how C5b-9 contributes to kidney disease and to predict which patients benefit from such therapy, knowledge on deposition of C5b-9 in the kidney is essential. Because immunohistochemical staining of C5b-9 has not been routinely conducted and never been compared across studies, we provide a review of studies on deposition of C5b-9 in healthy and diseased human kidneys. We describe techniques to stain deposits and compare the occurrence of deposits in healthy kidneys and in a wide spectrum of kidney diseases, including hypertensive nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, C3 glomerulopathy, and thrombotic microangiopathies such as the atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, vasculitis, interstitial nephritis, acute tubular necrosis, kidney tumors, and rejection of kidney transplants. We summarize how these deposits are related with other histological lesions and clinical characteristics. We evaluate the prognostic relevance of these deposits in the light of possible treatment with complement inhibitors.

Functional Characterization of Rare Genetic Variants in the N-Terminus of Complement Factor H in aHUS, C3G, and AMD.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have all been strongly linked with dysfunction of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement. A significant proportion of individuals with MPGN, C3G, aHUS and AMD carry rare genetic variants in the CFH gene that cause functional or quantitative deficiencies in the factor H (FH) protein, an important regulator of the AP. In silico analysis of the deleteriousness of rare genetic variants in CFH is not reliable and careful biochemical assessment remains the gold standard. Six N-terminal variants of uncertain significance in CFH were identified in patients with these diseases of the AP and selected for analysis. The variants were produced in Pichia Pastoris in the setting of FH CCPs 1–4, purified by nickel affinity chromatography and size exclusion and characterized by surface plasmon resonance and haemolytic assays as well as by cofactor assays in the fluid phase. A single variant, Q81P demonstrated a profound loss of binding to C3b with consequent loss of cofactor and decay accelerating activity. A further 2 variants, G69E and D130N, demonstrated only subtle defects which could conceivably over time lead to disease progression of more chronic AP diseases such as C3G and AMD. In the variants S159N, A161S, and M162V any functional defect was below the capacity of the experimental assays to reliably detect. This study further underlines the importance of careful biochemical assessment when assigning functional consequences to rare genetic variants that may alter clinical decisions for patients.

Spectrum of Kidney Involvement in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes

IntroductionMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by a high prevalence of associated autoimmune manifestations. Kidney involvement has been rarely reported in MDS patients. We report on the spectrum of kidney pathological findings in MDS patients.MethodsWe retrospectively identified MDS patients who had undergone a kidney biopsy between 2001 and 2019 in nine Swiss and French nephrology centres.ResultsNineteen patients (median age 74 years [63-83]) were included. At the time of kidney biopsy, eleven (58%) patients had extra-renal auto-immune manifestations and sixteen (84%) presented with acute kidney injury. Median serum creatinine at diagnosis was 2.8 mg/dL [0.6-8.3] and median urinary protein to creatinine ratio was 1.2 g/g [0.2-11]. Acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN) was present in seven (37%) patients. Immunofluorescence study in one patient with acute TIN disclosed intense IgG deposits along the tubular basement membrane and Bowman’s capsule. Other kidney pathological features included ANCA-negative pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis (n = 3), membranous nephropathy (n = 2), IgA nephropathy (n = 1), IgA vasculitis (n = 1), immunoglobulin-associated membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis type I (n=1), crescentic C3 glomerulopathy (n = 1), fibrillary glomerulonephritis (n = 1) and minimal change disease (n = 1). Eleven (58%) patients received immunosuppressive treatments, among whom one developed a severe infectious complication. After a median follow-up of 7 month [1-96], nine (47%) patients had chronic kidney disease stage 3 (n = 6) or 4 (n = 3) and five (26%) progressed to end-stage kidney disease. Three patients died.ConclusionsMDS are associated to several autoimmune kidney manifestations, predominantly acute TIN. MDS are to be listed among the potential causes of autoimmune TIN.

C3 glomerulopathy and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: an updated review of the literature on alternative complement pathway disorders.

The complement system plays a significant role within the pathological process of C3 glomerulopathy (C3GP) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). In daily practice, clinicians should differentiate the subgroups of C3GP because of they should apply different treatment modalities. In the past, C3GP was considered as a part of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). MPGN is defined as glomerular capillary thickening secondary to the synthesis of the new glomerular basement membrane and mesangial cellular hyperplasia with mesangial matrix expansion. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is an ultra-rare disease that can be outlined by the triad of Coombs negative microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. Recent advances demonstrated that these diseases share common abnormalities of the control of the alternative complement system. Therefore, nowadays, most researchers advocate that there may be overlap in the pathogenesis of C3GP and aHUS. This review will provide recent novel mechanisms and treatment options in these diseases. For the purposes that we mentioned above and to help clinicians, we aimed to describe the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of C3GP and aHUS in this comprehensive review.

C3 Glomerulopathy: Diagnosis of a Rare Entity in a Resource-Limited Setting.

C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a rare entity that is defined by glomerular pathology characterized by predominant deposition of C3 in the glomeruli, with absent or scant immunoglobulin deposition. The aim of this study was to diagnose this rare entity, using clinical features, light microscopy (LM) and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) findings. A retrospective study was done from January 2016 to December 2018. Out of 207 kidney biopsies, eight cases of C3G were included in the study. Clinical, laboratory, and demographic data of all patients were obtained. LM and DIF findings were further evaluated. Nephrotic syndrome was the predominant clinical presentation in this study. All eight cases showed a membranoproliferative pattern on LM. DIF showed predominant mesangiocapillary staining with C3 in all eight cases. DIF plays an important role in making the correct diagnosis, which is necessary to further perform appropriate complement investigations, as these patients respond well to complement inhibitor therapy.

Detection of Anti-C3b Autoantibodies by ELISA.

Autoantibodies against complement proteins are involved in the pathological process of many diseases, including lupus nephritis, C3 glomerulopathies, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. This method describes the detection of autoantibodies targeting the central complement component C3 by ELISA. These autoantibodies (IgG) are detected in up to 30% of the patients with lupus nephritis and more rarely in cases with C3 glomerulopathies. These autoantibodies recognize the active fragment C3b and have overt functional consequences. They enhance the formation of the C3 convertase and prevent the inactivation of C3b by Factor H and complement receptor 1. Moreover, they enhance the deposition of complement activation fragments on activator surfaces, such as apoptotic cells. The data currently available on the relations of anti-C3 autoantibodies with clinical, laboratory, and histological markers for activity of lupus nephritis, as well as the relations of anti-C3 with classical immunological markers for activity of autoimmune process in patients with lupus nephritis, such as hypocomplementemia and high levels of anti-dsDNA, could identify these autoantibodies as a potential marker for evaluation the activity of lupus nephritis. These autoantibodies correlate with the disease severity and can be used to identify patients with lupus nephritis who were prone to flare. Therefore, the detection of such autoantibodies could guide the clinicians to evaluate and predict the severity and to manage the therapy of lupus nephritis.

Analysis of Clinical and Histopathological Pattern of Biopsy Proven Glomerular Diseases from Central India.

The pattern of glomerular disease differs in incidence among the different geographical areas because of ethnicity, genetic variability, environmental factors, and socioeconomic conditions. The prevalence of pattern glomerular diseases varies from different parts of the world and from within the same country, the current study was performed to show the frequency of occurrence of primary and secondary glomerular disease (SGD) observed in a tertiary care hospital catering to patients from central India. In a retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 176 kidney biopsies that were performed from 2016 to 2019 at the Department of Nephrology Super Speciality Hospital in Nagpur. Ultrasound-guided kidney biopsies were performed percutaneously using an automated gun. The biopsy samples were examined for light microscopy and immunofluorescence. Patient age, gender, blood urea, serum creatinine, urine microscopy, 24-h urinary protein, virology, immunology profiles, indication for kidney biopsy, and histopathological findings were recorded for analysis. In our study, the most common indication for kidney biopsy was nephrotic syndrome (63.6%) followed by systemic lupus erythematosus with lupus nephritis (LN) (25.5%). Primary glomerular disease (PGD) was reported in 70%, SGD was reported in 30% of the 176 kidney biopsies studied. Among the 124 patients with PGD focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was most common (30.6%) followed by primary membranous glomerulopathy (18.5%), minimum change disease (17.7%), immunoglobulin A nephropathy (10.4%), C3 glomerulopathy (5.6%), and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (4.8%). Among the patients with SGD, LN was the most common (86.5%) followed by AL amyloidosis (3.4%) and AA amyloidosis (3.4%). In our study, among the PGD, FSGS was the most frequent while LN was the most common SGD.

Hemolytic Tests Exploring Factor H Functional Activities.

Impairment of the complement regulatory protein Factor H (FH) is implicated in the physiopathological mechanisms of different diseases like atypical hemolytic and uremic syndrome and C3 glomerulopathies. It may be due to genetic abnormalities or acquired with the development of autoantibodies. FH has several ligands; therefore, the exploration of its functions requires to perform different tests. Among them, two hemolytic tests are very useful because they give specific and complementary information about FH functions. The first one is dedicated to explore the FH capacity to dissociate the alternative pathway C3 convertase, whereas the second one is designed to explore the capacity of FH to bind cell surfaces and to protect them from complement attack. This chapter describes the procedures to perform these two hemolytic tests, exploring in a complementary way the FH functionality.

Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance: Spectrum of diseases and approach to a case.

The occurrence of kidney diseases associated with a monoclonal gammopathy in the absence of symptomatic multiple myeloma is increasingly recognized. When the kidney is involved, the monoclonal etiology of these diseases results in clinical and laboratory features distinct from those of other disease, necessitating the nomenclature monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). The detection of these monoclonal diseases involving the kidney is important since they are poorly responsive to conventional immunosuppression and instead require clone-directed therapy. The new International Kidney and Monoclonal research group consensus definition of MGRS includes all proliferative conditions of B cells and/or plasma cells. Renal lesions due to monoclonal immunoglobulins are quite capable of progression with resulting end-stage renal disease development. Hence, these lesions require therapeutic intervention even if they do not satisfy myeloma criteria or the presence of any myeloma defining event. The spectrum of renal lesions that can be observed in a case of MGRS is wide and mirrors the list that may be seen in a case of any plasma cell neoplasm. This includes Ig light chain, heavy chain, and heavy and light chain amyloidosis; immunotactoid glomerulonephritis (GN); monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease including light chain, heavy chain, or heavy and light chain disease; light chain proximal tubulopathy; crystal-storing histiocytosis; proliferative GN with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits; C3 glomerulopathy with monoclonal gammopathy and cast nephropathy. The initial approach after histological assessment is based on presence or absence of monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits. If monoclonality is evident, it is important to distinguish between conditions with deposition of intact immunoglobulin molecule or light chains only. The treatment of MGRS is directed at the underlying neoplastic B-cell or plasma cell clones.

C3 glomerulonephritis in post transplanted patient with MGRS (A case report)

C3 glomerulopathy includes several rare forms of glomerulonephritis with underlying defects in the alternative pathway of complement cascade. It is characterized by predominant C3 deposition in glomeruli due to abnormal activation of the alternative pathway of the complement system. C3 GN has been reported to be associated with several systemic diseases. Methods We MEDICUS / No. 4, 2021 13 will describe a case presenting C3 GN in a patient with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) Results A 61 years old man patient presented with gross hematuria,anemia ,renal disfunction (creatinemia 2,4 mg/dl), proteinuria 814 mg/24 h. The patient was transplanted two years ago and he was taking corticosteroids ,MMF,tacrolimus and entecavir for hepatitis B .Serum protein electrophoresis ; hypogammaglobulinemia with a small homogeneous spike-like peak. Serum Kappa free light chains 32,4 mg/dl ,serum Lambda free light chains 9.3 mg/dl.Ratio 3,4 . Autoimmune tests ANA, ANCA, Anti ds DNA C3 and C4 were negative.Urine Kappa Light Chains 26,4 mg/24 h,urine Lambda Light Chains 6,6 mg/24h.Urine Kappa/Lambda ratio 4. After consultation with haematolgist results of bone narrow biopsy came for monoclonal gammopathy , and FISH conclusion is presence of t(11,14)(q13,q32)which originated from IgH / CCND1 retraction and 1q21 acquisition. Renal biopsy is C3 glomerulopathy with mesengial and diffuse endocapillary proliferation under light microscope and diffuse deposition of C3 and no immunoglobulin under immunofluorescence microscope. Conclusions Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance MGRS is a term to describe a group of haematological disorders associated with kidney disease that fail to meet the standard definitions for MM or lymphoma. In such cases, the renal impairment is often linked to the underlying hematological disorder. The intention was to make a clear distinction between MGUS, a benign asymptomatic condition, and MGRS, which may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Functional Hemolytic Test for Complement Alternative Pathway Convertase Activity.

The complement system is a key part of innate immunity. However, if the system becomes dysregulated, damage to healthy host cells can occur, especially to the glomerular cells of the kidney. The convertases of the alternative pathway of the complement system play a crucial role in complement activation. In healthy conditions, their activity is strictly regulated. In patients with diseases caused by complement alternative pathway dysregulation, such as C3 glomerulopathy and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, factors can be present in the blood that disturb this delicate balance, leading to convertase overactivity. Such factors include C3 nephritic factors, which are autoantibodies against the C3 convertase that prolong its activity, or genetic variants resulting in a stabilized convertase complex. This chapter describes a method in which the activity and stability of the alternative pathway convertases can be measured to detect aberrant serum factors causing convertase overactivity.

The Benefits of Complement Measurements for the Clinical Practice.

The complement cascade is an evolutionary ancient innate immune defense system, playing a major role in the defense against infections. Its function in maintaining host homeostasis on activated cells has been emphasized by the crucial role of its overactivation in ever growing number of diseases, such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), autoimmune diseases as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), C3 glomerulopathies (C3GN), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), graft rejection, Alzheimer disease, and cancer, to name just a few. The last decade of research on complement has extended its implication in many pathological processes, offering new insights to potential therapeutic targets and asserting the necessity of reliable, sensitive, specific, accurate, and reproducible biomarkers to decipher complement role in pathology. We need to evaluate accurately which pathway or role should be targeted pharmacologically, and optimize treatment efficacy versus toxicity. This chapter is an introduction to the role of complement in human diseases and the use of complement-related biomarkers in the clinical practice. It is a part of a book intending to give reliable and standardized methods to evaluate complement according to nowadays needs and knowledge.

A Novel Glomerular C4d Scoring System: A Tool to Prognosticate Proliferative Exudative Pattern of Glomerular Injury.

Aim:Proliferative exudative pattern of glomerular injury is usually a manifestation of an infection related or a post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN). Rarely, it may represent a C3 glomerulopathy, which is a dysfunction of the alternative pathway of complement activation, and is then termed an atypical PIGN (aPIGN). C4d deposits in the glomerulus are footprints of the classical and/or lectin pathway of complement activation and hence is expected to be positive in immune-mediated glomerulonephritis (GN) like classical infection-related GN, and could be used to differentiate classical PIGN from atypical PIGN.Materials and Methods:We report a novel C4d scoring system based on the intensity and the proportion of glomerular tuft staining, in a series of 104 biopsies with the proliferative exudative pattern of glomerular injury. Using a statistically derived cut-off score of 1.45, the cases were divided into C4d positive and C4d negative groups and compared to IF findings and the follow-up, available in 36 cases.Results:The C4d positive group had a significantly greater proportion of cases with immune complexes compared to the group with C3 deposits alone. In the follow-up, C4d negative group had also a greater number with partial/incomplete response compared to the C4d positive group.Conclusions:We recommend that the C4d stain be done in all cases with a proliferative exudative pattern of glomerular injury to identify patients who would need a close follow up and further assays of complement function.

Factor H-related protein 1: a complement regulatory protein and guardian of necrotic-type surfaces.

Factor H-related protein 1 (FHR-1) is a member of the factor H protein family, which is involved in regulating innate immune complement reactions. Genetic modification of the encoding gene, CFHR1 on human chromosome 1, is involved in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, C3 glomerulopathy and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome, indicating an important role for FHR-1 in human health. Recent research data demonstrate that FHR-1 levels increase in IgA nephropathy and anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) vasculitis and that FHR-1 induces strong inflammation in monocytes on necrotic-type surfaces, suggesting a complement-independent role. These new results increase our knowledge about the role of this complement protein in pathology and provide a new therapeutic target, particularly in the context of inflammatory diseases induced by necrosis. This review summarizes current knowledge about FHR-1 and discusses its role in complement reactions and inflammation. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Canonical and non-canonical functions of the complement system in health and disease. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.14/issuetoc.

Validation of a Histologic Scoring Index for C3 Glomerulopathy

A previous study that evaluated associations of kidney biopsy findings with disease progression in patients with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) proposed a prognostic histologic index (C3G-HI) that has not yet been validated. Our objective was to validate the performance of the C3G-HI in a new patient population. Multicenter, retrospective cohort study. 111 patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria of C3G between January 1995 and December 2019, from 33 nephrology departments belonging to the Spanish Group for the Study of Glomerular Diseases (GLOSEN). Demographic, clinical parameters, C3G-HI total activity score, and the C3G-HI total chronicity score. Time to kidney failure. Intraclass correlation coefficients and κ statistic were used to summarize inter-rater reproducibility for assessment of histopathology in kidney biopsies. The nonlinear relationships of risk of kidney failure with the total activity score and total chronicity score were modeled using Cox proportional hazards analysis that incorporated cubic splines. The study group included 93 patients with C3 glomerulonephritis and 18 with dense-deposit disease. Participants had an overall meanage of 35±22 (SD) years. Forty-eight patients (43%) developed kidney failure after a mean follow-up of 65±27 months. The overall inter-rater reproducibility was very good for the total activity score (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.63) and excellent for total chronicity score (ICC=0.89). Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 24-hour proteinuria, and treatment with immunosuppression were the main determinants of kidney failure in a model with only clinical variables. Only tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis were identified as predictors in a model with histological variables. When the total activity score and total chronicity score were added to the model, only the latter was identified as an independent predictor of kidney failure. Only a subset of the kidney biopsies was centrally reviewed. Residual confounding. We validated the performance of C3G-HI as a predictor of kidney failure in patients with C3G. The total chronicity score was the principal histologic correlate of kidney failure.

Factor H Autoantibodies and Complement-Mediated Diseases.

Factor H (FH), a member of the regulators-of-complement-activation (RCA) family of proteins, circulates in human plasma at concentrations of 180–420 mg/L where it controls the alternative pathway (AP) of complement in the fluid phase and on cell surfaces. When the regulatory function of FH is impaired, complement-mediated tissue injury and inflammation occur, leading to diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (a thrombotic microangiopathy or TMA), C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). A pathophysiological cause of compromised FH function is the development of autoantibodies to various domains of the FH protein. FH autoantibodies (FHAAs) are identified in 10.9% of patients with aHUS, 3.2% of patients with C3G, and rarely in patients with MGRS. The phenotypic variability of FHAA-mediated disease reflects both the complexity of FH and the epitope specificity of FHAA for select regions of the native protein. In this paper, we have characterized FHAA epitopes in a large cohort of patients diagnosed with TMA, C3G or MGRS. We explore the epitopes recognized by FHAAs in these diseases and the association of FHAAs with the genetic deletion of both copies of the CFHR1 gene to show how these disease phenotypes are associated with this diverse spectrum of autoantibodies.

Treatment of Rare Inflammatory Kidney Diseases: Drugs Targeting the Terminal Complement Pathway.

The complement system comprises the frontline of the innate immune system. Triggered by pathogenic surface patterns in different pathways, the cascade concludes with the formation of a membrane attack complex (MAC; complement components C5b to C9) and C5a, a potent anaphylatoxin that elicits various inflammatory signals through binding to C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1). Despite its important role in pathogen elimination, priming and recruitment of myeloid cells from the immune system, as well as crosstalk with other physiological systems, inadvertent activation of the complement system can result in self-attack and overreaction in autoinflammatory diseases. Consequently, it constitutes an interesting target for specialized therapies. The paradigm of safe and efficacious terminal complement pathway inhibition has been demonstrated by the approval of eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hematuria. In addition, complement contribution in rare kidney diseases, such as lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, C3 glomerulopathy, or antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis has been demonstrated. This review summarizes the involvement of the terminal effector agents of the complement system in these diseases and provides an overview of inhibitors for complement components C5, C5a, C5aR1, and MAC that are currently in clinical development. Furthermore, a link between increased complement activity and lung damage in severe COVID-19 patients is discussed and the potential for use of complement inhibitors in COVID-19 is presented.

PRO139 Identification and Description of Global Real-World DATA (RWD) Sources for Iga Nephropathy (IGAN), Membranous Nephropathy (MN) and C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G)

PRO139 Identification and Description of Global Real-World DATA (RWD) Sources for Iga Nephropathy (IGAN), Membranous Nephropathy (MN) and C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G)

A Single-Center Phase 2 Open-Label Trial Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Daratumumab in Treatment of Patients with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance

Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immune deposits (PGNMID) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) with monoclonal gammopathy (MG) are kidney diseases related to monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). Rituximab or combination of cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone have been used with variable success but no clinical trial has been performed up to now. In this phase 2 trial, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of daratumumab (an anti-CD38 plasma therapy) in patients with PGNMID and C3G with MG. The primary objective was safety and tolerability of daratumumab. The secondary objective was the response rate to daratumumab. Response was defined by complete remission (CR) (proteinuria <500 mg/d and no more than 10% drop in eGFR) or partial remission (PR) (50% reduction in proteinuria with no more than 30% drop in eGFR) at 6 and 12 months. Daratumumab was administered intravenously at a dose of 16mg/kg once weekly for 8 weeks followed by once every other week for an additional 8 doses. Twelve patients were recruited. There was only one patient with C3G with MG recruited and one patient with PGNMID did not finish the first infusion of daratumumab. Both were excluded from evaluation of the secondary objective. The patient with C3G was excluded as later it was noted that the disease was not triggered by the MG but rather due to activation of her alternative complement pathway due to high-risk allele for complement Factor H (CFH) and C3. Mean age was 51.2 ± 22.6 (18-87) years. All patients were White and 5 were male. For the primary objective, there were five serious adverse events (SAE). Two were serious infections that occurred in the patient with C3G with MG. At the time of these infections, patient was receiving additional immunosuppression with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone. One was a febrile episode attributed to a virus that resolved with stopping additional immunosuppression, and another was an episode of C. difficile colitis that resolved following treatment. There were 3 episodes of uncomplicated UTI that resolved following antibiotic therapy and one episode of URI that required no treatment. The other two SAE were eye chemosis and headache in the same patient that resolved. Last SAE was an episode of acute closed angle glaucoma that occurred 45 min into the 1st infusion. This patient was withdrawn from the study. The most common side effect was infusion related reaction (with first infusion) that included cough, congestion, and throat irritation that resolved by the end of the infusion. There were no grade 3 or 4 anemia, thrombocytopenia or leukopenia. At 6 months, 2 patients achieved CR, 6 achieved PR and 2 had no response (NR). At 12 months, the 2 patients who had NR had entered PR and 2 additional patients that had achieved PR entered CR, but 3 patients relapsed (1 from CR and 2 from PR group). Overall, at 12 months, 3 patients achieved CR, 5 achieved PR and 2 had NR (due to relapse). The median 24hr baseline urinary protein declined from 4346 mg (3245 - 7943) to 702 mg (435 - 3057), at 6 months (p=0.001) and 1264 mg (463 - 3645) at 12 months (p = 0.004). There was also significant improvement in serum albumin, hemoglobin, total and LDL cholesterol, and complement 3 levels from baseline to 12 months follow-up (Table 1). Estimated GFR remained unchanged from 61.1 ± 31.9 to 65.0 ± 31.7 at 12 months (p=0.4). In this trial, daratumumab has shown to be safe and well tolerated. Daratumumab was also shown to be effective in reducing the proteinuria dramatically in patients with PGNMID secondary to MGRS along with stabilization of renal function. In conclusion, this is the first clinical trial of daratumumab in patients with MGRS and the promising results deserves further study. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. OffLabel Disclosure: Daratumumab - off label use for treatment of PGNMID