Therapeutic approach to focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis recurrence in kidney transplant recipients

Primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) leads to end-stage renal disease in a high proportion of cases. The recurrence of FSGS after kidney transplantation is frequent (20%–40%) and associated with poor graft survival. The pathophysiology of primary FSGS remains uncertain, but secretion of a circulating factor is suspected to play a key role in excessive glomerular permeability. The treatment of recurrence is still controversial, and most reports related to use of plasma exchange have been uncontrolled trials with relatively small groups of patients and conflicting results. Plasma exchange and protein immunoadsorption can markedly reduce urinary protein excretion and induce complete remission in some cases but usually fail to achieve sustained remission. Steroids and high-dose cyclosporine can reduce proteinuria based on their immunosuppressive properties and through stabilization of the podocyte actin cytoskeleton. Recent advances in our understanding of primary FSGS and podocyte function open the way to more targeted therapies. This review summarizes the therapeutic approach to FSGS recurrence.