Liposorber® LA-15 System is a blood purification therapy that selectively removes malignant lipoproteins including low density lipoprotein from circulating blood flow and rapidly reduces the plasma cholesterol level. The system was originally developed for the treatment of patients with serious dyslipidemia such as familial hypercholesterolemia and then applied to improve the dyslipidemia, a common complication of nephrotic syndrome and found to bring about improvement not only with the dyslipidemic condition but the nephrotic condition (e.g, proteinuria and hypoproteinemia).
Although the definitive mechanism by which the system may relieve nephrotic syndrome is unknown, it has been recognized as one of alternative therapies for refractory nephrotic syndrome including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in Japan and referred in the Guidelines for the Treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome endorsed by The Japanese Society of Nephrology.
This study is conducted as a post approval study imposed by Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) order to confirm the safety and efficacy of the Liposorber® LA-15 System in the treatment of drug-resistant pediatric primary FSGS.
Refractory nephrotic syndrome in which standard treatment options are unsuccessful (i.e., patient is unresponsive to standard corticosteroid and/or calcineurin inhibitor therapy for at least 8 weeks resulting in failure to achieve complete or partial remission);
Refractory nephrotic syndrome in which standard treatment options are not well tolerated (i.e., patients intolerant to standard therapies due to severe side effects that negatively affect quality of life without providing an acceptable level of clinical benefit);
Refractory or recurrent nephrotic syndrome in which standard therapy is contraindicated.
General Exclusion Criteria
Patient is greater than 21 years of age
Parent or patient is unwilling or unable to sign and date the informed consent (Note: Only patients 18-21 years of age may sign the informed consent on their own behalf)
Pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant prior to completing the study (Note: The safety of the use of Liposorber® in pregnant women has not been studied. There may be unknown risks to an embryo/fetus. Sexually active women of child bearing potential should avoid pregnancy during the use of the Liposorber device and throughout the study duration.)