Long-term clinical course of immunotactoid glomerulopathy complicated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

CEN Case Rep. 2022 May;11(2):184-190. doi: 10.1007/s13730-021-00648-0. Epub 2021 Sep 26.

Abstract

We report a case of immunotactoid glomerulopathy (ITG) complicated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A 68-year-old woman presented with leg edema and was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Renal biopsy revealed ITG. We treated the patient with prednisolone (20 mg/day) and she achieved complete remission of NS. Steroids were gradually reduced. After 1 year, the patient presented with a breast mass determined on biopsy to be DLBCL. She underwent six cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) therapy. Follow-up revealed complete remission of both DLBCL and ITG. NS recurred after 5 years and she was simultaneously diagnosed with recurrence of DLBCL in bone marrow. She underwent four cycles of R-EPOCH (rituximab, etoposide, prednisolone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin) therapy and entered remission for DLBCL. NS improved, but the treatment did not lead to remission. After 2 additional years, NS and DLBCL recurred again. She was administered rituximab and NS improved, although proteinuria tended to increase thereafter. One year later, we started prednisolone (10 mg/day), and proteinuria tended to decrease. She is currently undergoing outpatient follow-up. This case suggests that ITG with MGUS should be treated with the possibility of developing malignant hematological disease during the course.

Keywords: Immunotactoid glomerulopathy; Nephrotic syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Glomerulonephritis* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / complications
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Nephrotic Syndrome* / complications
  • Nephrotic Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Nephrotic Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Proteinuria / drug therapy
  • Rituximab / therapeutic use
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone