Levamisole vs. cyclophosphamide for frequently-relapsing steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome

A retrospective analysis comparing the first-time use of levamisole (L) or cyclophosphamide (C) as second-line therapy for children with frequently relapsing, steroid-dependent (FR/SD) nephrotic syndrome, was conducted at our center. The relapse rate and the total cumulative dose of prednisone during the year prior to L/C therapy was compared to that during the year following the institution of therapy with L or C in 51 patients, between July 1992 and June 1997. An analysis of covariance was used to adjust the outcome for differences between the 2 groups of treatment in the year prior to second-line drug initiation. In the L group the mean relapse rate was lowered by 0.28 relapses/patient/month and the mean cumulative dose of prednisone was reduced by 336 mg/m(2)/month versus 0.32 relapses/patient/month and 387 mg/m(2)/month in the C group (p = 0.395, p = 0.577). No significant difference in the effectiveness of L vs. C for therapy of FR/SD nephrotic syndrome could be identified in our patients. We conclude that L may be considered an alternative for C as a first second-line agent for these patients.