Treatment of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis in Adolescents Aged 12–17 with C3 Glomerulopathy or Primary IC-MPGN
Clinical Scenario
This protocol addresses adolescents aged 12 to 17 years diagnosed with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) or primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) — a patient population for whom a specific, evidence-based first-line treatment approach is now established.
Treatment Goals
The primary aims are a meaningful reduction in proteinuria and stabilization of kidney function. Achieving a significant proteinuria threshold by 12 months is associated with substantially lower long-term risk of kidney failure; even stabilization of eGFR at 6 months can be considered a meaningful indicator of response.
Treatment Approach — Partial Overview
The approach involves adding a complement inhibitor — pegcetacoplan — on top of continued supportive care. The complete regimen, including dosing, administration details, and full protocol steps, is available in the structured protocol below.
Full protocol required for dosing & clinical details →
References
DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.10.020
- In 2025, pegcetacoplan was also approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients aged $ 12 years with C3G or primary IC-MPGN to reduce proteinuria.
- Adolescents (12–17 yrs old), n (%)
- Pegcetacoplan is administered as a subcutaneous injection at a recommended dose of 1080 mg (in 20 ml) twice a week for adults using a commercially available infusion pump or on-body injector device, where available.
- For both C3G and primary IC-MPGN, a ≥ 50% proteinuria reduction after 12 months has consistently been associated with significantly lower risk of kidney failure, as demonstrated by both the UK RaDaR and Spanish GLOSEN registries.
- patients who achieve a UPCR < 0.88 g/g (< 100 mg/mmol) at 12 months after diagnosis benefit from a 90% lower risk of kidney failure than those who did not achieve this threshold.
- In this context, even stabilization of eGFR may be considered a success after 6 months of complement inhibitor therapy, although it must be acknowledged that changes in eGFR are dependent on factors such as disease chronicity.
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