Hydroxychloroquine reduces proteinuria in Chinese patients with IgA vasculitis nephritis

Excerpt

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is an immune complex vasculitis that primarily affects small vessels [1]. The common renal manifestation of IgAV is nephritis (IgAVN), formerly called Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, with predominant IgA deposition in the mesangial area. Pathologically indistinguishable from IgA nephropathy (IgAN), IgAVN and IgAN are widely considered related diseases [2]. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a traditional antimalarial agent, was recently proposed as an agent for the potential supportive management of IgAN [3]. It is speculated that HCQ may reduce proteinuria and disease severity in patients with IgAN by blocking toll-like receptors [4]. Moreover, toll-like receptor activation may also be involved in the pathogenesis of IgAVN [5]. Considering the immunomodulatory effects of HCQ, we believe it might also have therapeutic effects on IgAVN, but empirical evidence is limited. …