Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab in Treating Adult Patients with Minimal Change Disease and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: A Prospective Study Compared with Glucocorticoids

Background: Minimal Change Disease (MCD) / Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are leading causes of adult nephrotic syndrome. Roughly half of patients need long-term immunosuppression for steroid dependence or relapse, but traditional drugs carry substantial adverse effects. Rituximab (RTX) depletes CD20⁺ B cells and reduces anti-podocyte antibodies; pediatric data are encouraging, yet direct adult evidence—especially between treatment-naïve and relapsed patients—remains scarce. Methods: This study enrolled 82 patients with MCD/FSGS diagnosed between 2020 and 2023, divided into the RTX group (24 patients, 9 treatment-naïve and 15 relapsed) and the glucocorticoid group (58 patients). The RTX group received standard-dose RTX (375 mg/m 2 weekly for 4 weeks), while the glucocorticoid group was treated with prednisone (1 mg/kg/day). Outcomes were compared using t-tests, χ 2 /Fisher, logistic regression, and Kaplan–Meier analyses. Results: The overall remission rates were 100% in the RTX group and 98.3% in the glucocorticoid group (P=0.876), but the RTX group had a significantly higher eGFR at the last follow-up (124.25 vs 109.00 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , P=0.019). A statistically significant intergroup difference was also observed, with complete remission achieved in 89.5% of MCD patients versus 40% of FSGS patients (P< 0.05). In relapsed patients treated with RTX, prednisone dosage decreased from 34.0± 15.7 mg/day to 7.7± 7.8 mg/day (P< 0.001), annual relapse frequency dropped from 1.0 to 0 episodes/year (P=0.001), and 40% of patients completely discontinued glucocorticoids. The Complete Remission rate in treatment-naïve patients (88.9%) was higher than in relapsed patients (73.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant. No independent predictors of RTX efficacy were identified, and no severe infections or allergic reactions were observed. Conclusion: RTX equals glucocorticoids in podocytopathy, cuts steroid use and relapse, improves long-term kidney survival, and is safe. Treatment-naïve patients may choose RTX upfront to avoid steroid side effects; relapsed patients can taper and stop steroids. However, due to the limited sample size, these results should be interpreted with caution. Larger trials must confirm its long-term efficacy and ESRD protection. Keywords: rituximab, minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, therapeutic effects, nephrotic syndrome