Eculizumab-induced reversal of dialysis-dependent kidney failure from C3 glomerulonephritis

Abstract

C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is characterized by C3 deposits with minimal immunoglobulin deposition caused by alternative complement pathway dysregulation. Unfortunately, no therapeutic intervention has consistently improved outcomes for patients with C3G. Eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody to C5, is currently the only approved complement-specific agent with some efficacy in the treatment of C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN). Here,we describe a patient with acute crescentic C3GN with no identified complement mutation or family history of renal disease who required dialysis for 6 months. Five months after initiation of eculizumab, she became dialysis independent, showing improvement is possible after adequate time on eculizumab.