A large part of the research was conducted within the international TANGO project. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is an aggressive disease that recurred in one-third of patients and led to graft loss in a substantial proportion. Long-term apheresis proved to be an effective treatment in selected patients. However, biomarker analyses (SOMAscan and microarray) did not yield predictive markers for recurrence.
In IgA nephropathy, recurrence of IgA deposits after transplantation was associated with an increased risk of inferior long-term outcomes. Pre-emptive transplantation and donor-specific antibodies before transplantation were identified as important risk factors.
In membranous nephropathy (MN), the cumulative recurrence rate was 31% at 10 years. High pre-transplant anti-PLA2R antibody titers predicted earlier and more frequent recurrence, without a significant impact on 10-year graft survival.
Finally, the thesis examined whether dietary interventions in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome could positively influence the disease course.
The results highlight the importance of international collaboration to better understand these rare diseases and to further improve the care of transplant recipients.
