Cost analysis on the use of rituximab and calcineurin inhibitors in children and adolescents with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome

Background Rituximab (RTX) is increasingly being used in place of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) in pediatric patients with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). However, despite its favorable safety profile, its unit cost is prohibitive. We therefore compared the healthcare costs associated with the use of both agents in a retrospective cohort.