I think you mean idiopathic membranous nephropathy, the answer is yes.

Pharmacology. 2013;91(5-6):259-66. doi: 10.1159/000348570. Epub 2013 May 7.

Effect of prolonged tacrolimus treatment in idiopathic membranous nephropathy with nephrotic syndrome.

Yuan H1, Liu N, Sun GD, Jia Y, Luo P, Miao LN.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Tacrolimus has been used for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) therapy, but most patients who achieved remission showed a high relapse rate when tacrolimus was withdrawn after 6-12 months of therapy. We proposed that a prolonged therapeutic course should help reduce the relapse rate.

METHODS:

A total of 42 patients with nephrotic syndrome caused by IMN were randomly divided into short-term (n = 20) and long-term (n = 22) groups. All patients received initial treatment with tacrolimus and prednisone for 6 months, and afterward only the long-term patient group was tapered with low-dose tacrolimus until 24 months.

RESULTS:

Over 85% of the patients achieved proteinuria reduction, serum albumin improvement and serum lipid recovery; the probability of remission in both groups was over 80% at 6 months. The remission rate was steady at over 80% after 12 and 24 months in the long-term group, but only 50 and 45%, respectively, in the short-term group. Nine patients (45%) relapsed in the short-term group after tacrolimus withdrawal, while not a single patient suffered recurrence in the long-term group. The concentration of tacrolimus remained similar between the two groups at 5-8 ng/ml during the initial 6 months, and was significantly decreased at 12 months compared to 6 months (p < 0.05), along with reduction of oral administration in the long-term group.

CONCLUSION:

Combined therapy of tacrolimus with prednisone can relieve IMN significantly; prolonged tacrolimus treatment at a low blood concentration can alleviate the illness persistently, with a low recurrence rate and gratifying safety.

Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

what about post transplant recurrence

Tacrolimus given in association with MMF is the best therapy in renal transplanta patients affected, as original nephropathy, by idiopathic membranous nephropathy

Is there any prospective or even retrospective studies to support  the superiority of this combination over cyclosporine plus MMF

The last one, even if referrs to renanal transplantation is the enclosed paper

Best regards,

Maurizio Salvadori

In addition, rituximab is now a first line therapy for idhiopatic membranous nephropathy. Indeed the drug is effective for any B cell mediated renal disease. Please give a look to the enclosed papers,

Best regards

Maurizio Salvadori