Therapeutic Evaluation of Steroids in IgA Nephropathy Global Study (TESTING Low Dose Study)

IgA glomerulonephritis is the most common primary glomerulonephritis, and immunosuppression with steroids has been suggested to be a potential protective therapy, although the benefits and risks have not been clearly established.

The TESTING study was established to compare the effects of oral methylprednisolone 0.8 mg/kg/day weaning over 6-8 months, to matching placebo on the risk of kidney failure events, using a double-blind, randomised, controlled design.

After the randomisation of 262 participants to the TESTING an imbalance in serious adverse events was noted between the methylprednisolone and placebo arms of the trial by the Data Monitoring Committee, mostly due to infection. As the data also suggested likely benefit on kidney outcomes, a further 240 participants will be randomised to methylprednisolone 0.4 mg/kg/day compared to matching placebo (The TESTING low-dose group). Oral sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim will also be provided to reduce the risk of infection All participants will undergo long term follow-up until at least 160 primary outcome events are observed (expected to be an average of at least 4 years), and the effects of steroids on the risk of the composite kidney outcome will be assessed on the study population as a whole, stratified for treatment regimen so long as there is no evidence of significant heterogeneity in the efficacy at reducing the primary outcome.

Each of the original and the low-dose cohorts in TESTING will also have separate power to detect reductions in proteinuria and effects on average eGFR, along with effects on important safety outcomes with the steroid regimens used.

Inclusion criteria

• IgA nephropathy proven on renal biopsy.
• Proteinuria: >=1.0g/day while receiving maximum tolerated dose of RAS blockade following the recommended treatment guidelines of each country where the trial is conducted.
• eGFR: 30 to 120ml/min per 1.73m²(inclusive) while receiving maximum tolerated RAS blockade

Exclusion criteria

• Indication for immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids, such as:

• Minimal change renal disease with IgA deposits Crescents present in >50% of glomeruli on a renal biopsy within the last 12 months.
• Contraindication to immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids, including:

• Active infection, including HBV infection or clinical evidence of latent or active tuberculosis (nodules, cavities, tuberculoma, etc)
• Malignancy within the last 5 years, excluding treated non-melanoma skin cancers (ie. squamous or basal cell carcinoma)
• Current or planned pregnancy or breastfeeding women of childbearing age who are not able or willing to use adequate contraception.
• Systemic immunosuppressive therapy in the previous year.
• Malignant /uncontrolled hypertension (>160mm systolic or 110mmHg diastolic)
• Current unstable kidney function for other reasons, e.g. macrohaematuria induced acute kidney injury
• Age <18 years old
• Secondary IgA nephropathy: e.g. due to lupus, liver cirrhosis, Henoch- Schonlein purpura
• Patients who are unlikely to comply with the study protocol in the view of the treating physician.