Immunoadsorption in Autoimmune Diseases Affecting the Kidney

Autoantibodies play an important role in the pathophysiology of renal involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic vasculitis, and anti –glomerular basement membrane disease (or Goodpasture syndrome). Direct removal of autoantibodies therefore has been tried in various ways, first by plasma exchange. Today, immunoadsorption is the extracorporeal method that most effectively removes (pathogenic) immune complexes and antibodies. Alt hough past data have shown efficacy and biocompatibility of immunoadsorption in (renal) SLE, it is still an experimental and expensive procedure, and evidence from randomized controlled trials is needed.
Source: Seminars in Nephrology - Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Source Type: research