Patients with adult minimal change nephrotic syndrome treated with long-term cyclosporine did not experience a reduction in their eGFR

Background: The long-term efficacy and safety of cyclosporine (CyA) in the treatment of adult minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) was examined. Methods: The medical record of 15 patients diagnosed with MCNS by renal biopsy and treated with CyA for at least 2 years were reviewed. Results: The mean administration period of CyA was 78.3 months. The mean CyA dose for the induction period was 2.1 +/- 0.9 mg/kg and 1.7 +/- 1.0 mg/kg for the maintenance period. The mean dose of prednisolone used during the induction period was 20.3 mg and 2.7 mg during the maintenance. The frequency of MCNS relapse was decreased to 0.5 times/year in patients treated with CyA, compared to treatment without CyA (2.4 times/y). Two cases of mild liver damage and 3 cases of elevated blood pressure were observed during the administration of CyA. These adverse effects improved after reducing the CyA dose or treatment with an antihypertensive agent. A decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was not associated with long-term CyA use. Conclusion: At our institution, patients who were treated for MCNS with CyA for at least 2 years experienced no deterioration in renal function.