News

Kidney International®  

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2a study assessing the efficacy and safety of felzartamab for IgA nephropathy 

A phase 2a trial tested felzartamab, an anti-CD38 antibody, in 54 patients with IgA nephropathy. Patients received different doses of felzartamab or placebo over six months.  

Felzartamab reduced protein in the urine, with the strongest and longest-lasting effect seen in the 9-dose group. The treatment was generally safe, with mostly mild side effects, and may help improve kidney outcomes, though further research is needed to understand its long-term benefits. 

Kidney International Reports®  

Anti-podocin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay guides immunotherapy in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome 

A pediatric case of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) was studied using a new anti-podocin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which identified an autoimmune cause and guided targeted treatment. 

Tracking of antibody levels closely mirrored changes in proteinuria and kidney function. When standard therapies, including rituximab, failed, deep B-cell depletion with obinutuzumab led to full remission.  

This study shows that anti-podocin testing can help distinguish autoimmune from genetic SRNS and support more precise, effective immunotherapy.