Are there novel therapies in development for Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis?
Agents to block the abnormal activation of the alternate pathway of complement, including eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody to C5a and recombinant factor H, are being considered as potential treatments for primary Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, especially type II disease.
Initial studies suggest that this treatment may be most effective in patients with evidence of activation of the alternative pathway of complement (e.g., elevated circulating levels of the soluble membrane attack complex).
However, this observation requires confirmation in larger randomized clinical trials. Newer anticomplement therapies are under development and will also require testing in patients with Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.
In secondary disease, removal of cryoglobulins with cryofiltration is an experimental modality.
