Use of combined plasmapheresis and immunosuppression in the treatment of Goodpasture's syndrome

Five consecutive patients with well-documented Goodpasture's syndrome were treated with plasmapheresis and immunosuppression. In all patients, the antiglomerular basement-membrane antibody titers decreased with treatment. In three patients, hemoptysis responded promptly to plasmapheresis. Two patients presenting with severe renal failure required chronic dialysis, and three patients who had serum creatinine levels less than 2.1 mg/dl before treatment improved or had stabilization of their renal function. We confirm that the use of plasmapheresis and immunosuppression is a promising method of treatment in some patients with Goodpasture's syndrome.