Obinutuzumab Induced Decreases of PLA2R Antibodies in Membranous Nephropathy: a Pilot Study

Objective: To assess the disappearance rate (half-life) of anti-PLA2R antibodies in high-risk primary membranous nephropathy (pMN) patients treated with obinutuzumab (OBI), and to evaluate immunological and clinical remission, adverse events, and quality of life. Design: Open-label, single-center, prospective pilot intervention study conducted at Radboud University Medical Center. Population: 20 adult patients with high-risk PMN, defined by proteinuria ≥3.5 g/24h despite 6 months of supportive treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs. Intervention: OBI 1000 mg on days 1 and 15, with two additional infusions after 6 months if anti-PLA2R antibody levels remain positive and proteinuria exceeds 2 g/24h. Follow-up: Patients were monitored at baseline, and at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 37, and 52.

Rationale: Primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) is a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults and is characterized by subepithelial immune complex deposits in the glomerular basement membrane. The disease is associated with circulating auto-antibodies targeting the M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), present in 70-80% of patients. Despite advances in understanding its pathogenesis, the optimal treatment of PMN remains suboptimal; as the response to immunosuppressive therapy is often limited and slow. When considering treatment in PMN, the overall response rate is important, but in high-risk PMN patients the rapidity of response is even more important. As so, ideally we should be able to identify non-responders and slow-responders before or within a few months after start of therapy. A regimen consisting of rituximab (RTX), cyclophosphamide (CP) and steroids (triple therapy) has proven that a rapid immunological and clinical remission in PMN patients is possible. Obinutuzumab (OBI), a next-generation fully humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, offers enhanced B cell depletion through greater antibody-dependent cytotoxicity and reduced complement activation when compared to RTX. Retrospective studies suggests that OBI demonstrates superior efficacy in the treatment of treatment-refractory PMN patients compared to RTX, while maintaining a similar safety profile. It has been proven effective in the treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis compared to standard-of-care. These studies not only suggested better overall response, but the data also indicated a more rapid onset of remission. Objective: The primary objective of this pilot study is to calculate disappearance rate (half-life) of anti-PLA2R antibodies in PMN patients treated with OBI. We hypothesize that OBI monotherapy might be able to induce a rapid immunological response comparable to triple therapy in high-risk PLA2Rab-associated PMN patients. Secondary outcome measures are immunological remission, complete or partial clinical remission, adverse events and quality of life. Main trial endpoint: The main trial endpoint is the disappearance rate (half-life) of anti-PLA2R antibodies in PMN patients after treatment with OBI. Secondary trial endpoints: Immunological remission defined as IFT negative. Efficacy on clinical disease activity, defined as either CR or PR at 12 months. Adverse events. Quality of life during OBI treatment. Trial design: This is an open-label single-center, prospective, pilot intervention study in the Radboud UMC hospital. Patients at our outpatient clinic with high-risk PMN, defined by proteinuria ≥ 3.5 g/24h despite supportive treatment for at least 6 months with maximally tolerated and stable dose of ACE-i or ARB without life-threatening nephrotic syndrome and/or \> 20% increase in serum creatinine not otherwise explained, that are eligible for inclusion will be asked to participate in the study. A total of 20 incident and prevalent PMN patients will be included. After informed consent participants will receive OBI 1000 mg on day 1 and 15, with two additional infusions after 6 months if the PLA2Rab IFT assay is still positive with proteinuria \> 2 gram/24 hours and stable kidney function. Patients will visit our outpatient clinic at baseline, in week 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 37 and 52. During the visits to our outpatient clinic, standard measurements will be performed, including blood pressure measurement, weight monitoring and laboratory testing, including PLA2Rab monitoring. Except for week 1, in which only PLA2Rab monitoring will be conducted. The "Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36" questionnaire will be completed at baseline and in week 12, 24, 37 and 52 prior to a visit to our outpatient clinic. Trial population: A total of 20 adult incident and prevalent anti-PLA2R antibody-associated high-risk PMN patients will be recruited from our renal unit. Interventions: All participants will receive OBI 1000 mg on day 1 and 15, with two additional infusions after 6 months if the anti-PLA2R antibody IFT assay is still positive with proteinuria \> 2 gram/24 hours and stable kidney function. Anti-PLA2R antibodies will be measured at baseline and week 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 37 and 52.