E-Mail karger@karger.com Introduction Nephron Clin Pract 2014;128:203–204 DOI: 10.1159/000369646 Biologic Treatment in Glomerular Disease David Jayne a Vladimir Tesar b a Vasculitis and Lupus Clinic, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK; b Department of Nephrology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, General University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic to the standard immunosuppressive treatment demon- strating its limitations and the current unmet need of, at least, similarly effective and less toxic treatment. To illus- trate the close connection between a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and targeted treatment, the papers on the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vas- culitis [2], lupus nephritis [3], the role of anti-PLA2R an- tibodies [4] in membranous nephropathy and comple- ment in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis [5] precede the articles dedicated to the treatment of second- ary [6–8] and primary glomerulonephritides [9–11]. The final contribution opens new horizons by reviewing the emerging biologic treatments [12]. We hope you enjoy this introduction to the complex area of the pathogenesis and targeted treatment of glo- merular disease and that this information will contribute to greater awareness, earlier diagnosis and referral, better treatment and improved outcome for patients with im- mune-mediated glomerular diseases. The classification of glomerular disease has been based almost entirely on renal histology, but an increasing un- derstanding of the pathogenesis is now introducing change relevant to the development of newer therapies. The introduction of corticosteroid and immunosuppres- sive drugs undoubtedly improved the outcome of patients with many forms of nephrotic syndrome, lupus nephritis and ANCA-associated vasculitis, but this non-specific treatment has been associated with serious short- and long-term toxicity, especially in patients with frequently relapsing disease. During the last 10 years, new biologic (targeted) treatment has expanded our therapeutic arma- mentarium, especially in refractory, relapsing or intoler- ant patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, lupus ne- phritis and less commonly for other glomerular diseases. This special topic section of Nephron Clinical Practice provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the widening area of biologic treatments in an increasing number of glomerular diseases. The first paper [1] returns Published online: December 13, 2014 Vladimir Tesar Department of Nephrology, General University Hospital U nemocnice 2 CZ–128 08 Prague 2 (Czech Republic) E-Mail vladimir.tesar  @  vfn.cz © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel 1660–2110/14/1284–0203$39.50/0 www.karger.com/nec Downloaded by: 195.113.70.110 - 12/16/2014 12:16:02 PM