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Markmann JF, Burrell BE, Bromberg JS, Hartono C, Kaufman DB, Possselt AM, Naji A, Bridges ND, Breeden C, Kanaparthi S, Pardo J, Kopetskie H, Mason K, Lim N, Chandran S. Immunosuppression withdrawal in living-donor renal transplant recipients following induction with antithymocyte globulin and rituximab: Results of a prospective clinical trial. Am J Transplant 2024:S1600-6135(24)00202-8. [PMID: 38467375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2024.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Durable tolerance in kidney transplant recipients remains an important but elusive goal. We hypothesized that adding B cell depletion to T cell depletion would generate an immune milieu postreconstitution dominated by immature transitional B cells, favoring tolerance. The Immune Tolerance Network ITN039ST Research Study of ATG and Rituximab in Renal Transplantation was a prospective multicenter pilot study of live donor kidney transplant recipients who received induction with rabbit antithymocyte globulin and rituximab and initiated immunosuppression (IS) withdrawal (ISW) at 26 weeks. The primary endpoint was freedom from rejection at 52 weeks post-ISW. Six of the 10 subjects successfully completed ISW. Of these 6 subjects, 4 restarted immunosuppressive medications due to acute rejection or recurrent disease, 1 remains IS-free for over 9 years, and 1 was lost to follow-up after being IS-free for 42 weeks. There were no cases of patient or graft loss. CD19+ B cell frequencies returned to predepletion levels by 26 weeks posttransplant; immunoglobulin D+CD27--naïve B cells predominated. In contrast, memory cells dominated the repopulation of the T cell compartment. A regimen of combined B and T cell depletion did not generate the tolerogenic B cell profile observed in preclinical studies and did not lead to durable tolerance in the majority of kidney transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- James F Markmann
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Transplantation Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bryna E Burrell
- Biomarker Discovery Group, Immune Tolerance Network, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan S Bromberg
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Choli Hartono
- Rogosin Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dixon B Kaufman
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Andrew M Possselt
- Department of Surgery, University of California-San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ali Naji
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nancy D Bridges
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Cynthia Breeden
- Immune Tolerance Network, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sai Kanaparthi
- Immune Tolerance Network, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jorge Pardo
- Immune Tolerance Network, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Noha Lim
- Immune Tolerance Network, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sindhu Chandran
- Immune Tolerance Network, Clinical Trials Group at the University of California- San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
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Erez DL, Pizzo H, Rodig N, Richardson T, Somers M. Outcomes based on induction regimens in pediatric kidney transplantation: a NAPRTCS and PHIS collaborative study. Pediatr Nephrol 2023; 38:3455-3464. [PMID: 37154962 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-05955-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Induction agent used at the time of kidney transplant is often based upon center practice and recipient characteristics. We evaluated outcomes across induction therapies among children enrolled in the North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies (NAPRTCS) transplant registry with data in the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS). METHODS This is a retrospective study of merged data from NAPRTCS and PHIS. Participants were grouped by induction agent: interleukin-2 receptor blocker (IL-2 RB), anti-thymocyte/anti-lymphocyte globulin (ATG/ALG), and alemtuzumab. Outcomes assessed included 1-, 3-, and 5-year allograft function and survival, rejection, viral infections, malignancy, and death. RESULTS A total of 830 children transplanted between 2010 and 2019. At 1 year post-transplant, the alemtuzumab group had higher median eGFR (86 ml/min/1.73 m2) compared to IL-2 RB and ATG/ALG (79 and 75 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively; P < 0.001); at 3 and 5 years, there was no difference. Adjusted eGFR over time was similar across all induction agents. Rejection rates were lower among the alemtuzumab group vs. IL-2RB and ATG (13.9% vs. 27.3% and 24.6%, respectively; P = 0.006). Adjusted ATG/ALG and alemtuzumab had higher hazard ratio for time to graft failure compared to IL-2 RB (HR 2.48 and HR 2.11, respectively; P < 0.05). Incidence of malignancy, mortality, and time to first viral infection was similar. CONCLUSION Although rejection and allograft loss rates were distinct, the incidences of viral infection and malignancy were comparable across induction agents. By 3 years post-transplant, there was no difference in eGFR. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella Levy Erez
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tiqva, Israel.
| | - Helen Pizzo
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Galeev SR, Gautier SV. Risks and ways of preventing kidney dysfunction in drug-induced immunosuppression in solid organ recipients. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL ORGANS 2022. [DOI: 10.15825/1995-1191-2022-4-24-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immunosuppressive therapy (IMT) is the cornerstone of treatment after transplantation. The goal of immunosuppression is to prevent acute and chronic rejection while maximizing patient survival and long-term graft function. However, the expected effects of IMT must be balanced against the major adverse effects of these drugs and their toxicity. The purpose of this review is to summarize world experience on current immunosuppressive strategies and to assess their effects on renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sh. R. Galeev
- Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs
| | - S. V. Gautier
- Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs; Sechenov University
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Rodriguez-Ramirez S, Al Jurdi A, Konvalinka A, Riella LV. Antibody-mediated rejection: prevention, monitoring and treatment dilemmas. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:405-414. [PMID: 35950887 PMCID: PMC9475491 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000001011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) has emerged as the leading cause of late graft loss in kidney transplant recipients. Donor-specific antibodies are an independent risk factor for AMR and graft loss. However, not all donor-specific antibodies are pathogenic. AMR treatment is heterogeneous due to the lack of robust trials to support clinical decisions. This review provides an overview and comments on practical but relevant dilemmas physicians experience in managing kidney transplant recipients with AMR. RECENT FINDINGS Active AMR with donor-specific antibodies may be treated with plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids with additional therapies considered on a case-by-case basis. On the contrary, no treatment has been shown to be effective against chronic active AMR. Various biomarkers and prediction models to assess the individual risk of graft failure and response to rejection treatment show promise. SUMMARY The ability to personalize management for a given kidney transplant recipient and identify treatments that will improve their long-term outcome remains a critical unmet need. Earlier identification of AMR with noninvasive biomarkers and prediction models to assess the individual risk of graft failure should be considered. Enrolling patients with AMR in clinical trials to assess novel therapeutic agents is highly encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Rodriguez-Ramirez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ayman Al Jurdi
- Division of Nephrology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ana Konvalinka
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leonardo V. Riella
- Division of Nephrology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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5
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Gassen RB, Borges TJ, Pérez-Sáez MJ, Zhang H, Al Jurdi A, Llinàs-Mallol L, Aoyama B, Lima M, Pascual J, Sage PT, Murakami N, Riella LV. T cell depletion increases humoral response by favoring T follicular helper cells expansion. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:1766-1778. [PMID: 35320600 PMCID: PMC9262847 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-mediated rejection is a major cause of long-term graft loss in kidney transplant patients. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are crucial for assisting B cell differentiation and are required for an efficient antibody response. Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is a widely used lymphocyte-depleting induction therapy. However, less is known about how ATG affects Tfh cell development and donor-specific antibody (DSA) formation. We observed an increase in circulating Tfh cells at 6 months after kidney transplant in patients who received ATG. Using an NP-OVA immunization model, we found that ATG-treated mice had a higher percentage of Tfh cells, germinal center B cells, and higher titers of antigen-specific antibodies compared to controls. ATG-treated animals had lower levels of IL-2, a known Bcl-6 repressor, but higher levels of IL-21, pSTAT3 and Bcl-6, favoring Tfh differentiation. In a mouse kidney transplant model, ATG-treated recipients showed an increase in Tfh cells, DSA and C4d staining in the allograft. Although ATG was effective in depleting T cells, it favored the expansion of Tfh cells following depletion. Concomitant use of IL-2, tacrolimus, or rapamycin with ATG was essential to control Tfh cell expansion. In summary, ATG depletion favors Tfh expansion, enhancing antibody-mediated response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Benedetti Gassen
- Center of Transplantation Science, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thiago J Borges
- Center of Transplantation Science, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - María José Pérez-Sáez
- Renal Division, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hengcheng Zhang
- Renal Division, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayman Al Jurdi
- Center of Transplantation Science, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Bruno Aoyama
- Renal Division, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maurício Lima
- Renal Division, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julio Pascual
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter T Sage
- Renal Division, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Naoka Murakami
- Renal Division, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leonardo V. Riella
- Center of Transplantation Science, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, MA, USA
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6
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Jain A, Daoud D, Kees-Folts D, Freeman MA, Butt F, Abendroth CS, Shike H, Kadry Z. Steroid-free maintenance immunosuppression using alemtuzumab in pediatric kidney transplantation: Long-term longitudinal follow-up. Pediatr Transplant 2022; 26:e14173. [PMID: 34687570 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a scarcity of long-term data on steroid-free immunosuppression using alemtuzumab in pediatric kidney transplantation (KTx). This study examines long-term outcomes with alemtuzumab without steroid maintenance therapy in pediatric KTx. METHODS From July 2005 to June 2015, 71 pediatric KTx recipients received alemtuzumab without steroid maintenance. They were followed from 4.1 to 14.1 years post KTx. RESULTS Patient survival: One child expired with a functioning graft from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Patient survival was 98.6%. Graft survival: Eighteen grafts were lost (16 from chronic rejection). Graft survival at 5 and 10 years was 92.3% and 61.3%, respectively. Rejection: Twenty-three (32.4%) patients were free from T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), 16 (22.5%) had >3 episodes. Sixteen (22.5%) were treated for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Infection: Twenty-three children developed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), 5 developed cytomegalovirus (CMV), and 20 developed BK virus infection. Four (5.6%) developed PTLD. Twenty-two (31.0%) required treatment for neutropenia. Growth parameters: Mean height and weight increased by 0.56 and 0.69 SDS (standard deviation score), respectively. Body mass index increased by 5.1 kg/m2 at 10 years. Less than 40% required antihypertensive medications at all-time points. CONCLUSION Alemtuzumab, without corticosteroid maintenance, offers 98.6% patient survival at 14 years with five and 10-year graft survival of 92.3% and 61.3%, respectively. TCMR and AMR requiring treatment were 67.4% and 22.5%, respectively. CMV, EBV, and BK viremia rates were 7.0%, 32.4%, and 28.2%, respectively. Thirty-one percent were treated for neutropenia; 5.6% developed PTLD. There were improvements in growth parameters and blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashokkumar Jain
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Deborah Daoud
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Deborah Kees-Folts
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael A Freeman
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Fauzia Butt
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Catherine S Abendroth
- Department of Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hiroko Shike
- Department of Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zakiyah Kadry
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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7
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Khalil MAM, Khalil MAU, Khan TFT, Tan J. Drug-Induced Hematological Cytopenia in Kidney Transplantation and the Challenges It Poses for Kidney Transplant Physicians. J Transplant 2018; 2018:9429265. [PMID: 30155279 PMCID: PMC6093016 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9429265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced hematological cytopenia is common in kidney transplantation. Various cytopenia including leucopenia (neutropenia), thrombocytopenia, and anemia can occur in kidney transplant recipients. Persistent severe leucopenia or neutropenia can lead to opportunistic infections of various etiologies. On the contrary, reducing or stopping immunosuppressive medications in these events can provoke a rejection. Transplant clinicians are often faced with the delicate dilemma of balancing cytopenia and rejection from adjustments of immunosuppressive regimen. Differentials of drug-induced cytopenia are wide. Identification of culprit medication and subsequent modification is also challenging. In this review, we will discuss individual drug implicated in causing cytopenia and correlate it with corresponding literature evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Taqi F. Taufeeq Khan
- King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk King Abdul Aziz Rd., Tabuk 47512, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jackson Tan
- RIPAS Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan BA1710, Brunei Darussalam
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8
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Jones-Hughes T, Snowsill T, Haasova M, Coelho H, Crathorne L, Cooper C, Mujica-Mota R, Peters J, Varley-Campbell J, Huxley N, Moore J, Allwood M, Lowe J, Hyde C, Hoyle M, Bond M, Anderson R. Immunosuppressive therapy for kidney transplantation in adults: a systematic review and economic model. Health Technol Assess 2018; 20:1-594. [PMID: 27578428 DOI: 10.3310/hta20620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-stage renal disease is a long-term irreversible decline in kidney function requiring renal replacement therapy: kidney transplantation, haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The preferred option is kidney transplantation, followed by immunosuppressive therapy (induction and maintenance therapy) to reduce the risk of kidney rejection and prolong graft survival. OBJECTIVES To review and update the evidence for the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of basiliximab (BAS) (Simulect(®), Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd) and rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin (rATG) (Thymoglobulin(®), Sanofi) as induction therapy, and immediate-release tacrolimus (TAC) (Adoport(®), Sandoz; Capexion(®), Mylan; Modigraf(®), Astellas Pharma; Perixis(®), Accord Healthcare; Prograf(®), Astellas Pharma; Tacni(®), Teva; Vivadex(®), Dexcel Pharma), prolonged-release tacrolimus (Advagraf(®) Astellas Pharma), belatacept (BEL) (Nulojix(®), Bristol-Myers Squibb), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (Arzip(®), Zentiva; CellCept(®), Roche Products; Myfenax(®), Teva), mycophenolate sodium (MPS) (Myfortic(®), Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd), sirolimus (SRL) (Rapamune(®), Pfizer) and everolimus (EVL) (Certican(®), Novartis) as maintenance therapy in adult renal transplantation. METHODS Clinical effectiveness searches were conducted until 18 November 2014 in MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (via Wiley Online Library) and Web of Science (via ISI), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment (The Cochrane Library via Wiley Online Library) and Health Management Information Consortium (via Ovid). Cost-effectiveness searches were conducted until 18 November 2014 using a costs or economic literature search filter in MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), NHS Economic Evaluation Database (via Wiley Online Library), Web of Science (via ISI), Health Economic Evaluations Database (via Wiley Online Library) and the American Economic Association's electronic bibliography (via EconLit, EBSCOhost). Included studies were selected according to predefined methods and criteria. A random-effects model was used to analyse clinical effectiveness data (odds ratios for binary data and mean differences for continuous data). Network meta-analyses were undertaken within a Bayesian framework. A new discrete time-state transition economic model (semi-Markov) was developed, with acute rejection, graft function (GRF) and new-onset diabetes mellitus used to extrapolate graft survival. Recipients were assumed to be in one of three health states: functioning graft, graft loss or death. RESULTS Eighty-nine randomised controlled trials (RCTs), of variable quality, were included. For induction therapy, no treatment appeared more effective than another in reducing graft loss or mortality. Compared with placebo/no induction, rATG and BAS appeared more effective in reducing biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) and BAS appeared more effective at improving GRF. For maintenance therapy, no treatment was better for all outcomes and no treatment appeared most effective at reducing graft loss. BEL + MMF appeared more effective than TAC + MMF and SRL + MMF at reducing mortality. MMF + CSA (ciclosporin), TAC + MMF, SRL + TAC, TAC + AZA (azathioprine) and EVL + CSA appeared more effective than CSA + AZA and EVL + MPS at reducing BPAR. SRL + AZA, TAC + AZA, TAC + MMF and BEL + MMF appeared to improve GRF compared with CSA + AZA and MMF + CSA. In the base-case deterministic and probabilistic analyses, BAS, MMF and TAC were predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000 and £30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). When comparing all regimens, only BAS + TAC + MMF was cost-effective at £20,000 and £30,000 per QALY. LIMITATIONS For included trials, there was substantial methodological heterogeneity, few trials reported follow-up beyond 1 year, and there were insufficient data to perform subgroup analysis. Treatment discontinuation and switching were not modelled. FUTURE WORK High-quality, better-reported, longer-term RCTs are needed. Ideally, these would be sufficiently powered for subgroup analysis and include health-related quality of life as an outcome. CONCLUSION Only a regimen of BAS induction followed by maintenance with TAC and MMF is likely to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per QALY. STUDY REGISTRATION This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42014013189. FUNDING The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey Jones-Hughes
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Tristan Snowsill
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Marcela Haasova
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Helen Coelho
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Louise Crathorne
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Chris Cooper
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Ruben Mujica-Mota
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jaime Peters
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jo Varley-Campbell
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Nicola Huxley
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jason Moore
- Exeter Kidney Unit, Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust Hospital, Exeter, UK
| | - Matt Allwood
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jenny Lowe
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Chris Hyde
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Martin Hoyle
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Mary Bond
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Rob Anderson
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Augustine JJ. Weight-based dosing of alemtuzumab: an ounce of prevention? Transpl Int 2017; 30:1095-1097. [PMID: 28556989 DOI: 10.1111/tri.12992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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10
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Sánchez-Escuredo A, Diekmann F, Revuelta I, Esforzado N, Ricart MJ, Cofán F, Torregrosa JV, Peri L, Ruiz Á, Campistol JM, Oppenheimer F. An mTOR-inhibitor-based protocol and calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-free treatment in kidney transplant recipients from donors after cardiac death: good renal function, but high incidence of conversion to CNI. Transpl Int 2016; 29:362-8. [DOI: 10.1111/tri.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sánchez-Escuredo
- Nephrology and Renal Transplant Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Fritz Diekmann
- Nephrology and Renal Transplant Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Ignacio Revuelta
- Nephrology and Renal Transplant Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Nuria Esforzado
- Nephrology and Renal Transplant Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Maria Jose Ricart
- Nephrology and Renal Transplant Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Frederic Cofán
- Nephrology and Renal Transplant Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Jose-Vicente Torregrosa
- Nephrology and Renal Transplant Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Lluis Peri
- Urology Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Ángel Ruiz
- Donation and Transplant Coordination Unit; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Josep Maria Campistol
- Nephrology and Renal Transplant Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Federico Oppenheimer
- Nephrology and Renal Transplant Department; Hospital Clinic; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
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Bamoulid J, Staeck O, Halleck F, Dürr M, Paliege A, Lachmann N, Brakemeier S, Liefeldt L, Budde K. Advances in pharmacotherapy to treat kidney transplant rejection. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2015; 16:1627-48. [PMID: 26159444 DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2015.1056734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current immunosuppressive combination therapy provides excellent prevention of T-cell-mediated rejection following renal transplantation; however, antibody-mediated rejection remains of high concern and accounts for a large number of long-term allograft losses. The recent development of protocol biopsies resulted in the definition of subclinical rejection (SCR), showing histologic evidence for rejection but unremarkable clinical course. AREAS COVERED This review describes the current knowledge and evidence of pharmacotherapy to treat kidney allograft rejections and covers SCR treatment options. Each substance is analyzed with regard to its classical indication and further discussed for the treatment of other forms of rejection. EXPERT OPINION Despite a lack of randomized trials, early acute T-cell-mediated rejection can be treated effectively in most cases without graft loss. The necessity to treat SCR is currently unclear. Due to a lack of effective therapies, new treatment approaches for antibody-mediated rejection are an urgent medical need to improve long-term outcomes. Future research should aim to better define pathophysiology and histology, stratify risk, and develop rational treatment strategies from randomized controlled trials, in order to establish the value of novel therapies in the arsenal of rejection pharmacotherapy. However, the effective prevention of rejection with minimal side effects still remains the goal in immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal Bamoulid
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Nephrology , Berlin , Germany +49 30 450 514002 ; +49 30 450 514902 ;
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Noureldeen T, Albekioni Z, Machado L, Muddana N, Marcus RJ, Hussain SM, Sureshkumar KK. Alemtuzumab induction and antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplantation. Transplant Proc 2015; 46:3405-7. [PMID: 25498060 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2014.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Induction therapy improves graft outcomes in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). We aimed to compare the incidences of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and acute cellular rejection (ACR) as well as graft and patient outcomes in KTRs who underwent induction with alemtuzumab versus rabbit-antithymocyte globulin (r-ATG). METHODS This was a single-center retrospective study involving patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 2009 and December 2011 after receiving induction therapy with either alemtuzumab or r-ATG. Maintenance immunosuppression included tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil with early steroid withdrawal. Acute rejection was diagnosed using allograft biopsy. RESULTS Among the 108 study patients, 68 received alemtuzumab and 40 got r-ATG. There was a significantly higher incidence of AMR (15% vs 2.5%; P = .008) and similar incidence of ACR (4.4% vs 10%; P = .69) for alemtuzumab versus r-ATG groups. One-year serum creatinine levels (l.68 ± 0.8 mg/dL vs 1.79 ± 1.8 mg/dL; P = .66) as well as graft (91.1 ± 3.5% vs 94.5 ± 3.8%; P = .48) and patient (93.8 ± 3.0% vs 96.4 ± 3.5%; P = .92) survivals were similar for the alemtuzumab versus the r-ATG groups. CONCLUSION Our study showed a higher incidence of AMR and similar incidence of ACR in KTRs who underwent induction with alemtuzumab compared with those who received r-ATG and were maintained on tacrolimus and MMF. This was despite a lower HLA mismatch in the alemtuzumab group. One-year graft survival, patient survival, and allograft function were similar. Inadequate B-cell suppression by alemtuzumab as well as altered phenotypic and functional properties of repopulating B cells could be contributing to heightened risk of AMR in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Noureldeen
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Z Albekioni
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - L Machado
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - N Muddana
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - R J Marcus
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - S M Hussain
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - K K Sureshkumar
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Smith A, Couvillion R, Zhang R, Killackey M, Buell J, Lee B, Saggi BH, Paramesh AS. Incidence and management of leukopenia/neutropenia in 233 kidney transplant patients following single dose alemtuzumab induction. Transplant Proc 2015; 46:3400-4. [PMID: 25498059 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2014.07.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and management strategies for post-transplant leukopenia/neutropenia in kidney recipients receiving alemtuzumab induction during the first year following transplantation. METHODS We prospectively identified 233 adult patients who underwent kidney transplantation with alemtuzumab induction at a single institution. The incidence and severity of leukopenia (white blood cell count [WBC] ≤2500/mm(3)) and neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] ≤500/mm(3)) were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-transplantation. We determined any association with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, graft rejection, and infections requiring hospitalization. We also reviewed interventions performed, including medication adjustments, treatment with granulocyte stimulating factor, and hospitalization. RESULTS The combined incidence of either leukopenia or neutropenia was 47.5% (n = 114/233) with an average WBC nadir of 1700 ± 50/mm(3) at 131.0 ± 8.5 days and an average ANC nadir of 1500 ± 100/mm(3) at 130.4 ± 9.6 days. No significant difference in graft rejection, CMV infection, or infections requiring hospitalization was found in the leukopenia/neutropenia group vs the normal WBC group (P = .3). The most common intervention performed for leukopenia/neutropenia group was prophylactic medication adjustment. Six patients (5.2%) required a change in >1 medication. The majority of these patients also required granulocyte stimulating factor (61.5%; 32/52), with an average of 2.5 doses given. A total of 25 patients (21.9%) required hospitalization due to leukopenia/neutropenia with an average length of stay of 6 days. CONCLUSIONS Kidney transplant patients receiving alemtuzumab induction required significant interventions due to leukopenia/neutropenia in the first year post-transplantation. These results suggest the need for additional studies aimed at defining the optimum management strategies of leukopenia/neutropenia in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Smith
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - R Couvillion
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - R Zhang
- Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane Abdominal Transplant Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - M Killackey
- Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane Abdominal Transplant Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - J Buell
- Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane Abdominal Transplant Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - B Lee
- Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane Abdominal Transplant Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - B H Saggi
- Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane Abdominal Transplant Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - A S Paramesh
- Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane Abdominal Transplant Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk R J Kuypers
- Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven B-3000, Belgium.
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Sutherland AI, Akhtar MZ, Zilvetti M, Brockmann J, Ruse S, Fuggle SV, Sinha S, Harden P, Friend PJ. Alemtuzumab and sirolimus in renal transplantation: six-year results of a single-arm prospective pilot study. Am J Transplant 2014; 14:677-84. [PMID: 24612687 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.12572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2013] [Revised: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
mTOR inhibitors avoid calcineurin nephrotoxicity, but sirolimus de novo is associated with unacceptable side effects and higher rejection rates. We have investigated a modified strategy: alemtuzumab induction with tacrolimus and mycophenolate maintenance, switching from tacrolimus to sirolimus at 6 months and stopping mycophenolate at 12 months. Here, we report the 6-year follow-up of 30 patients prospectively recruited to this single-arm pilot study and compare outcomes to a matched contemporaneous control group of 30 patients who received standard induction and calcineurin-inhibitor-based immunosuppression.Six-year patient and graft survival were 83% and 80%(alemtuzumab) versus 77% and 70% (control). Rejection rates in the first 6 months were similar in alemtuzumab (6.6%) and control groups (10%). A higher than expected incidence of rejection in the alemtuzumab group following cessation of mycophenolate at 1 year (17%) was mitigated in later patients by retaining low dose mycophenolate. Mean eGFR was higher in the alemtuzumab group at all time points but not significantly (p¼0.16). Tacrolimus levels in the first 6 months were significantly higher in the contemporaneous control group (p<0.001). Alemtuzumab induction with initial treatment with tacrolimus enables conversion to sirolimus without the side effects and incidence of acute rejection seen in earlier protocols.
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Sung J, Barry JM, Jenkins R, Rozansky D, Iragorri S, Conlin M, Al-Uzri A. Alemtuzumab induction with tacrolimus monotherapy in 25 pediatric renal transplant recipients. Pediatr Transplant 2013; 17:718-25. [PMID: 24164824 DOI: 10.1111/petr.12159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
ALA induction in transplantation has been shown to reduce the need for maintenance immunosuppression. We report the outcome of 25 pediatric renal transplants between 2007 and 2010 using ALA induction followed by tacrolimus maintenance monotherapy. Patient ages were 1-19 yr (mean 14 ± 4.1 yr). Time of follow-up was 7-51 months (mean 26 ± 13 months). Tacrolimus monotherapy was maintained in 48% of patients, and glucocorticoids were avoided in 80% of recipients. Mean plasma creatinine and GFR at one yr post-transplant were 0.88 ± 0.3 mg/dL and 104.4 ± 25 mL/min/1.73m(2) , respectively. One, two, and three-yr actuarial patient and graft survival rates were 100%. The incidence of early AR (<12 months after transplantation) was 12%, while the incidence of late AR (after 12 months) was 16%. Forty-four percent of the recipients recovered normal, baseline renal function after an episode of AR, and 44% had persistent renal dysfunction (plasma creatinine 1.0-1.8 mg/dL). One graft was lost four yr after transplantation due to medication non-compliance. Four (16%) patients developed BK or CMV infection. In our experience, ALA induction with tacrolimus monotherapy resulted in excellent short- and mid-term patient and graft survival in low-immunologic risk pediatric renal transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Sung
- Department of Urology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Abstract
Alemtuzumab (Campath) is a monoclonal antibody that has a profound lymphocyte-depleting effect, targeting the CD52 antigen that is present on all lymphocytes. Alemtuzumab has been used for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and various autoimmune disorders, and has also shown potential as an induction agent in the prevention of rejection following solid organ transplantation. Alemtuzumab has been studied in randomised controlled trials and has demonstrated low levels of rejection in renal transplant recipients compared with other induction agents, albeit mainly in the early months following transplantation. Studies have shown that alemtuzumab enables the use of lower calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) maintenance drugs; however, this reduction in nephrotoxic immunosuppression has not consistently been matched by an improvement in renal function. The hypothesis has been suggested that alemtuzumab might allow the development of immunosuppressive regimens that avoid CNIs completely; studies have investigated the combination of alemtuzumab with mammalian target of rapamycin-inhibitor maintenance therapy, and, in particular, sirolimus. Initial studies with this combination showed that regimens of sirolimus alone and of sirolimus with mycophenolate mofetil were unsuccessful, with a high rate of rejection and complications. Subsequent studies have targeted the combination of alemtuzumab induction with a short course of a CNI, before switching to maintenance therapy with sirolimus. This regimen might combine good protection from acute cellular rejection and chronic nephrotoxicity. A randomised controlled trial has been established to study this regimen, with results pending.
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Postoperative cardiac tamponade after kidney transplantation: a possible consequence of alemtuzumab-induced cytokine release syndrome. Transplantation 2013; 95:e18-9. [PMID: 23380870 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e31827d9757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Puttarajappa C, Yabes J, Bei L, Shah N, Bernardo J, McCauley J, Basu A, Tan H, Shapiro R, Unruh M, Wu C. Cancer risk with alemtuzumab following kidney transplantation. Clin Transplant 2013; 27:E264-71. [PMID: 23480032 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.12094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alemtuzumab has been employed for induction therapy in kidney transplantation with low rates of acute rejection and excellent graft and patient survival. Antibody induction therapy has been linked to increased vulnerability to cancer. Data regarding malignancy rates with alemtuzumab are limited. We studied 1350 kidney transplant recipients (between 2001 and 2009) at the University of Pittsburgh Starzl Transplant Institute, for post-transplant de novo and recurrent malignancy, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, among patients receiving alemtuzumab, thymoglobulin, and no induction therapies. Of the 1350 patients, 1002 (74.2%) received alemtuzumab, 205 (15.2%) received thymoglobulin, and 122 (9%) received no induction therapy. After excluding cancers occurring within 60 d post-transplantation, 43 (3.25%) malignancies were observed during a median follow-up time of 4.0 yr. The incidence of malignancy was 5.4% (1.09 per 100 patient-years [PY]) with thymoglobulin, 2.8% (0.74 per 100 PY) with alemtuzumab, and 3.3% (0.66 per 100 PY) with no induction (across all groups; p = 0.2342, thymoglobulin vs. alemtuzumab; p = 0.008). Thus, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer which we did not evaluate, alemtuzumab induction was not associated with increased cancer incidence post-kidney transplantation when compared to no induction therapy and was associated with lower cancer incidence when compared to thymoglobulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Puttarajappa
- Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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Zuber J, Grimbert P, Blancho G, Thaunat O, Durrbach A, Baron C, Lebranchu Y. Prognostic significance of graft Foxp3 expression in renal transplant recipients: a critical review and attempt to reconcile discrepancies. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2012; 28:1100-11. [PMID: 23262436 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfs570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A large body of evidence has been accumulated from experimental models in the past decade to support the critical role of Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the suppression of alloimmune responses. This has prompted transplant clinicians to investigate whether Foxp3 analysis might be used as an immunodiagnostic tool for better assessment of the significance of graft infiltrate and to predict its impact on graft outcome. However, conflicting results have emerged from these studies and may have generated more confusion than clarification. Foxp3 expression has been antagonistically correlated with either good or poor prognosis. We discuss here how methodological issues and specific clinical settings may have accounted for the discrepancies between the results of these studies. Depending on many factors, including the techniques used, the method of sampling normalization, the extent of intra-graft inflammation, the immunosuppressive regimen and the depletion or repletion of T lymphocyte compartment, the significance of Foxp3 expression may vary. We propose here the conditions to be fulfilled in order to use Foxp3 analysis as a relevant biomarker for graft outcome assessment. Far from challenging the key role of Tregs in dampening alloimmune responses, this review highlights the need for technical harmonization and standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Zuber
- Department of Renal Transplantation, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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24
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Page EK, Page AJ, Kwun J, Gibby AC, Leopardi F, Jenkins JB, Strobert EA, Song M, Hennigar RA, Iwakoshi N, Knechtle SJ. Enhanced de novo alloantibody and antibody-mediated injury in rhesus macaques. Am J Transplant 2012; 12:2395-405. [PMID: 22776408 PMCID: PMC4752112 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2012.04074.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Chronic allograft rejection is a major impediment to long-term transplant success. Humoral immune responses to alloantigens are a growing clinical problem in transplantation, with mounting evidence associating alloantibodies with the development of chronic rejection. Nearly a third of transplant recipients develop de novo antibodies, for which no established therapies are effective at preventing or eliminating, highlighting the need for a nonhuman primate model of antibody-mediated rejection. In this report, we demonstrate that depletion using anti-CD3 immunotoxin (IT) combined with maintenance immunosuppression that included tacrolimus with or without alefacept reliably prolonged renal allograft survival in rhesus monkeys. In these animals, a preferential skewing toward CD4 repopulation and proliferation was observed, particularly with the addition of alefacept. Furthermore, alefacept-treated animals demonstrated increased alloantibody production (100%) and morphologic features of antibody-mediated injury. In vitro, alefacept was found to enhance CD4 effector memory T cell proliferation. In conclusion, alefacept administration after depletion and with tacrolimus promotes a CD4+memory T cell and alloantibody response, with morphologic changes reflecting antibody-mediated allograft injury. Early and consistent de novo alloantibody production with associated histological changes makes this nonhuman primate model an attractive candidate for evaluating targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- EK Page
- Emory Transplant Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - AJ Page
- Emory Transplant Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - J Kwun
- Emory Transplant Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - AC Gibby
- Emory Transplant Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - F Leopardi
- Emory Transplant Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - JB Jenkins
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - EA Strobert
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - M Song
- Emory Transplant Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - RA Hennigar
- Department of Pathology, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
| | - N Iwakoshi
- Emory Transplant Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - SJ Knechtle
- Emory Transplant Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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Chouhan KK, Zhang R. Antibody induction therapy in adult kidney transplantation: A controversy continues. World J Transplant 2012; 2:19-26. [PMID: 24175192 PMCID: PMC3782231 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v2.i2.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody induction therapy is frequently used as an adjunct to the maintenance immunosuppression in adult kidney transplant recipients. Published data support antibody induction in patients with immunologic risk to reduce the incidence of acute rejection (AR) and graft loss from rejection. However, the choice of antibody remains controversial as the clinical studies were carried out on patients of different immunologic risk and in the context of varying maintenance regimens. Antibody selection should be guided by a comprehensive assessment of immunologic risk, patient comorbidities, financial burden as well as the maintenance immunosuppressives. Lymphocyte-depleting antibody (thymoglobulin, ATGAM or alemtuzumab) is usually recommended for those with high risk of rejection, although it increases the risk of infection and malignancy. For low risk patients, interleukin-2 receptor antibody (basiliximab or daclizumab) reduces the incidence of AR without much adverse effects, making its balance favorable in most patients. It should also be used in the high risk patients with other medical comorbidities that preclude usage of lymphocyte-depleting antibody safely. There are many patients with very low risk, who may be induced with intravenous steroids without any antibody, as long as combined potent immunosuppressives are kept as maintenance. In these patients, benefits with antibody induction may be too small to outweigh its adverse effects and financial cost. Rituximab can be used in desensitization protocols for ABO and/or HLA incompatible transplants. There are emerging data suggesting that alemtuzumab induction be more successful than other antibody for promoting less intensive maintenance protocols, such as steroid withdrawal, tacrolimus monotherapy or lower doses of tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of these unconventional strategies remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwaljit K Chouhan
- Kanwaljit K Chouhan, Rubin Zhang, Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
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Harnessing regulatory T cells for transplant tolerance in the clinic through mTOR inhibition: myth or reality? Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2012; 16:606-13. [PMID: 21971509 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0b013e32834c237a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The inhibition of mTOR promotes immune tolerance in mouse models of transplantation, by favoring the expansion of regulatory T cells over effector T cells. However, attempts at inducing immune tolerance with the mTOR inhibitor (mTOR-I) in humans have so far failed. We herein review the immunological obstacles that need to be overcome in order to translate mTOR-I-related tolerogenic properties into the clinic. RECENT FINDINGS Our knowledge of regulatory T-cell biology has exploded over the past few years, providing clues to explain the complex impact of prolonged mTOR inhibition on the biology of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, recent data have shed light on the unexpected pro-inflammatory burst observed in some transplant recipients treated with mTOR-I. We propose that the exposure of an organism to pathogens determines the immunodominant effect of mTOR-I, altering the immune system from a state of tolerance in inbred animals to a state of infection-triggered enhanced inflammation in humans. SUMMARY Recent advances in the understanding of the pleiotropic effects of mTOR-I on the immune system are paving the way to new therapeutic avenues. Future mTOR-I-based tolerogenic protocols should counter the mTOR-I-related inflammation in order to selectively promote expansion of stable regulatory T cells. We herein envisage promising therapeutic perspectives.
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Getts DR, Shankar S, Chastain EML, Martin A, Getts MT, Wood K, Miller SD. Current landscape for T-cell targeting in autoimmunity and transplantation. Immunotherapy 2012; 3:853-70. [PMID: 21751954 DOI: 10.2217/imt.11.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, substantial advances in T-cell immunosuppressive strategies and their translation to routine clinical practice have revolutionized management and outcomes in autoimmune disease and solid organ transplantation. More than 80 diseases have been considered to have an autoimmune etiology, such that autoimmune-associated morbidity and mortality rank as third highest in developed countries, after cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Solid organ transplantation has become the therapy of choice for many end-stage organ diseases. Short-term outcomes such as patient and allograft survival at 1 year, acute rejection rates, as well as time course of disease progression and symptom control have steadily improved. However, despite the use of newer immunosuppressive drug combinations, improvements in long-term allograft survival and complete resolution of autoimmunity remain elusive. In addition, the chronic use of nonspecifically targeted immunosuppressive drugs is associated with significant adverse effects and increased morbidity and mortality. In this article, we discuss the current clinical tools for immune suppression and attempts to induce long-term T-cell tolerance induction as well as much-needed future approaches to produce more short-acting, antigen-specific agents, which may optimize outcomes in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Getts
- Tolera Therapeutics Inc, 350 E Michigan Ave Ste 205, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA.
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Shin M, Song SH, Kim JM, Kwon CH, Joh JW, Lee SK, Kim SJ. Alemtuzumab induction in deceased donor kidney transplantation. Transplant Proc 2012; 43:2365-78. [PMID: 21839271 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2011.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H), a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD52, is a lymphocyte-depleting agent currently being evaluated as an induction agent in solid organ transplantation. This study analyzed the clinical outcomes and effects on peripheral blood lymphocyte subset counts in adult deceased donor renal transplant recipients who received an alemtuzumab-based induction protocol. METHODS Eleven kidney alone or simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients received 20 mg alemtuzumab on postoperative days 0 and 1, followed by calcineurin inhibitor-based maintenance immunosuppression after postoperative day 5. We collected 1-year data including recipient and donor demographic features, renal function and adverse events including endocrine impact, incidence of acute rejection episodes, infections or malignancies as well as hematologic and late immunologic parameters for correlation with patient or graft survival. RESULTS Mean HLA mismatch was 3.6 and 8/11 deceased donors were of the extended criteria type. Only 2 (18%) recipients displayed delayed graft function with a failure of the serum creatinine to decrease by 25% on the first day; however, their long-term outcomes were similar to other nonaffected patients. Serious adverse events were absent; there was no hyperlipidemia or new-onset diabetes. We failed to observe an acute rejection. The 3 (27%) recipients with infectious complications experienced pericardial tuberculosis, urinary tract infection, or invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Two (18%) cases of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease were diagnosed in this study during the follow-up. Overall patient and graft survival rates were both 91%. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that preconditioning with antibody-depletion using alemtuzumab was efficient with satisfactory patient and graft survivals at 1 year. Alemtuzumab induction was safe even for recipients of extended criteria donor renal transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Shin
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Kwun J, Bulut P, Kim E, Dar W, Oh B, Ruhil R, Iwakoshi N, Knechtle SJ. The role of B cells in solid organ transplantation. Semin Immunol 2011; 24:96-108. [PMID: 22137187 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2011.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The role of antibodies in chronic injury to organ transplants has been suggested for many years, but recently emphasized by new data. We have observed that when immunosuppressive potency decreases either by intentional weaning of maintenance agents or due to homeostatic repopulation after immune cell depletion, the threshold of B cell activation may be lowered. In human transplant recipients the result may be donor-specific antibody, C4d+ injury, and chronic rejection. This scenario has precise parallels in a rhesus monkey renal allograft model in which T cells are depleted with CD3 immunotoxin, or in a CD52-T cell transgenic mouse model using alemtuzumab to deplete T cells. Such animal models may be useful for the testing of therapeutic strategies to prevent DSA. We agree with others who suggest that weaning of immunosuppression may place transplant recipients at risk of chronic antibody-mediated rejection, and that strategies to prevent this scenario are needed if we are to improve long-term graft and patient outcomes in transplantation. We believe that animal models will play a crucial role in defining the pathophysiology of antibody-mediated rejection and in developing effective therapies to prevent graft injury. Two such animal models are described herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Kwun
- Emory Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Veroux M, Tallarita T, Corona D, D’Assoro A, Gurrieri C, Veroux P. Sirolimus in solid organ transplantation: current therapies and new frontiers. Immunotherapy 2011; 3:1487-97. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.11.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To outline the rationale of powerful depleting induction therapy with alemtuzumab and minimal maintenance immunosuppression after organ transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS The original observations in principle have been confirmed by many independent centres. SUMMARY Follow-up of the 'prope tolerance' protocol has confirmed a low incidence of rejection, infection and post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Especially, encouraging results were obtained in African-Americans. There were few side effects and the regimen was well tolerated by patients. Treg cells were observed in the circulation, which could be an important factor in the mechanisms of graft acceptance using a prope tolerance regimen. There was a considerable reduction in the costs of the transplantation procedure. It is suggested that this minimalisation of maintenance immunosuppression is the best therapy currently available that we can offer to our patients.
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De Serres SA, Mfarrej BG, Magee CN, Benitez F, Ashoor I, Sayegh MH, Harmon WE, Najafian N. Immune profile of pediatric renal transplant recipients following alemtuzumab induction. J Am Soc Nephrol 2011; 23:174-82. [PMID: 22052056 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2011040360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of developing circulating anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies and the kinetics of T cell depletion and recovery among pediatric renal transplant recipients who receive alemtuzumab induction therapy are unknown. In a collaborative endeavor to minimize maintenance immunosuppression in pediatric renal transplant recipients, we enrolled 35 participants from four centers and treated them with alemtuzumab induction therapy and a steroid-free, calcineurin-inhibitor-withdrawal maintenance regimen. At 3 months after transplant, there was greater depletion of CD4(+) than CD8(+) T cells within the total, naive, memory, and effector memory subsets, although depletion of the central memory subset was similar for CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells. Although CD8(+) T cells recovered faster than CD4(+) subsets overall, they failed to return to pretransplant levels by 24 months after transplant. There was no evidence for greater recovery of either CD4(+) or CD8(+) memory cells than naïve cells. Alemtuzumab relatively spared CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells, resulting in a rise in their numbers relative to total CD4(+) cells and a ratio that remained at least at pretransplant levels throughout the study period. Seven participants (20%) developed anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies without adversely affecting allograft function or histology on 2-year biopsies. Long-term follow-up is underway to assess the potential benefits of this regimen in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sacha A De Serres
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Transplantation Research Center, 221 Longwood Ave, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Antibody-Mediated Rejection After Alemtuzumab Induction: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Predictors of Poor Outcome. Transplantation 2011; 92:176-82. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e318222c9c6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Willicombe M, Brookes P, Santos-Nunez E, Galliford J, Ballow A, Mclean A, Roufosse C, Cook HT, Dorling A, Warrens AN, Cairns T, Taube D. Outcome of patients with preformed donor-specific antibodies following alemtuzumab induction and tacrolimus monotherapy. Am J Transplant 2011; 11:470-7. [PMID: 21299828 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2010.03421.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
It has been shown that low-level preformed donor-specific antibodies (DSAbs) detected by luminex beads in the setting of a negative CDC and flow cytometry crossmatch (CDC/FCXM) are associated with inferior allograft outcomes. The relevance of preformed DSAbs in patients receiving alemtuzumab induction and tacrolimus monotherapy has not been studied. Four hundred and eighty renal transplant recipients with a negative CDC/FCXM had their pretransplant sera retrospectively screened for DSAbs. 45/480 (9.4%) of patients were found to have preformed DSAbs. Females and patients receiving regrafts were more likely to have a DSAb (p = 0.008 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Patients with DSAbs had inferior allograft survival (p = 0.047), increased incidence of antibody-mediated rejection (p < 0.0001) and inferior allograft function at 6 months posttransplant (p = 0.017). Patients with HLA class I DSAb (alone or in combination with a Class II DSAb) with high mean fluorescence intensities (MFIs) were at highest risk. We conclude that patients with preformed DSAb are at high risk of adverse outcomes when receiving a minimal immunosuppressive regime incorporating alemtuzumab induction. Patients found to have a preformed DSAb despite a negative crossmatch might benefit from augmented immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Willicombe
- Imperial College Kidney and Transplant Institute, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
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Ferguson R, Grinyó J, Vincenti F, Kaufman DB, Woodle ES, Marder BA, Citterio F, Marks WH, Agarwal M, Wu D, Dong Y, Garg P. Immunosuppression with belatacept-based, corticosteroid-avoiding regimens in de novo kidney transplant recipients. Am J Transplant 2011; 11:66-76. [PMID: 21114656 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2010.03338.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Current immunosuppressive regimens in renal transplantation typically include calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) and corticosteroids, both of which have toxicities that can impair recipient and allograft health. This 1-year, randomized, controlled, open-label, exploratory study assessed two belatacept-based regimens compared to a tacrolimus (TAC)-based, steroid-avoiding regimen. Recipients of living and deceased donor renal allografts were randomized 1:1:1 to receive belatacept-mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), belatacept-sirolimus (SRL), or TAC-MMF. All patients received induction with 4 doses of Thymoglobulin (6 mg/kg maximum) and an associated short course of corticosteroids. Eighty-nine patients were randomized and transplanted. Acute rejection occurred in 4, 1 and 1 patient in the belatacept-MMF, belatacept-SRL and TAC-MMF groups, respectively, by Month 6; most acute rejection occurred in the first 3 months. More than two-thirds of patients in the belatacept groups remained on CNI- and steroid-free regimens at 12 months and the calculated glomerular filtration rate was 8-10 mL/min higher with either belatacept regimen than with TAC-MMF. Overall safety was comparable between groups. In conclusion, primary immunosuppression with belatacept may enable the simultaneous avoidance of both CNIs and corticosteroids in recipients of living and deceased standard criteria donor kidneys, with acceptable rates of acute rejection and improved renal function relative to a TAC-based regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ferguson
- Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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del Carmen Rial M, Abbud-Filho M, Torres Gonçalves R, Martinez-Mier G, Montero C, Raffaele P, Toledo Solares M, Alberú J. Individualizing Early Use of Sirolimus in Renal Transplantation. Transplant Proc 2010; 42:4518-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2010.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2010] [Accepted: 10/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Setoguchi K, Kishimoto H, Kobayashi S, Shimmura H, Ishida H, Toki D, Suzuki T, Ohnuki K, Tate Y, Fujioka S, Abe R, Tanabe K. Potential role of host effector memory CD8+ T cells in marrow rejection after mixed chimerism induction in cynomolgus monkeys. Transpl Immunol 2010; 23:194-203. [PMID: 20624462 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2010.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Revised: 06/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mixed hematopoietic chimerism provides a powerful means of achieving transplantation tolerance. We investigated the efficacy of combined blockade of the CD40/CD154 and CD28/B7 costimulation pathways to induce sustained mixed chimerism in cynomolgus monkeys following major histocompatibility complex-mismatched bone marrow (BM) transplants. A nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen of busulfan, intravenous and intraosseous ifosfamide, and anti-thymocyte globulin was used. BM transplantation was followed by a one-week course of CTLA4-Ig/anti-CD154 monoclonal antibodies. Three recipients achieved a wide range of transient chimerism (10.8-79.8%). A rapid proliferation of host effector memory (CD28(low)CD95(high)) CD8(+) T cells was observed in conditioned animals whether or not they received allogeneic BM, and this expansion occurred concurrently with the loss of chimerism in BM recipients. CD8(+) T cells from the recipients had increased reactivity to donor stimulators vs. third-party stimulators. Additional immunosuppression with tacrolimus or deoxyspergualin after transplantation delayed post-transplant proliferation of effector memory CD8(+) T cells but did not promote chimerism. A one-month course of costimulatory blockade also did not prevent marrow rejection. These studies demonstrate that combined CD40/CD154 and CD28/B7 costimulatory blockade supports transient mixed chimerism induction following nonmyeloablative conditioning in primates, but is insufficient to overcome host immune resistance likely mediated by effector memory CD8(+) T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Setoguchi
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawadacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
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Comparing an Early Corticosteroid/Late Calcineurin-Free Immunosuppression Protocol to a Sirolimus-, Cyclosporine A-, and Prednisone-Based Regimen for Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation. Transplantation 2010; 89:727-32. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181c9dc9b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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40
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A randomized trial of alemtuzumab versus antithymocyte globulin induction in renal and pancreas transplantation. Transplantation 2009; 88:810-9. [PMID: 19920781 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181b4acfb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND.: Alemtuzumab and rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) are commonly used for induction of immunsuppression for kidney and pancreas transplantation, but the two agents have not been compared directly. METHODS.: We conducted a prospective randomized single-center trial comparing alemtuzumab and rATG induction in adult kidney and pancreas transplantation in patients treated with similar maintenance immunosuppression. RESULTS.: Between February 1, 2005, and September 1, 2007, 222 patients randomly received either alemtuzumab (n=113) or rATG (n=109) induction; 180 (81%) underwent kidney alone, 38 (17%) simultaneous pancreas-kidney, and 4 (2%) pancreas after kidney transplants. Of 180 kidney-alone transplants, 152 (84%) were from deceased donors, including 61 (34%) from expanded criteria donors. Retransplantation, human leukocyte antigen match, antibody titer, expanded criteria donors, race, cytomegalovirus status, delayed graft function, and immunologic risks were similar between the two induction groups. With a median follow-up of 2 years (minimum 1 year), overall patient, kidney, and pancreas graft survival rates were 96%, 89%, and 90%, respectively. Survival, initial length of stay, and maintenance immunosuppression (including early steroid elimination) were similar between alemtuzumab and rATG groups, but biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) episodes occurred in 16 (14%) alemtuzumab patients compared with 28 (26%) rATG patients (P=0.02). Late BPAR (>12 months after transplant) occurred in 1 (8%) alemtuzumab patient and 3 (11%) rATG patients (P=NS). Infections and malignancy were similar between the two induction arms. CONCLUSION.: Alemtuzumab and rATG induction therapies were equally safe, but alemtuzumab was associated with less BPAR.
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Padiyar A, Augustine JJ, Hricik DE. Induction Antibody Therapy in Kidney Transplantation. Am J Kidney Dis 2009; 54:935-44. [PMID: 19682780 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2009.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2009] [Accepted: 06/09/2009] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Brown KL, El-Amm JM, Doshi MD, Singh A, Cincotta E, Morawski K, Losanoff JE, West MS, Gruber SA. Outcome predictors in African-American deceased-donor renal allograft recipients. Clin Transplant 2009; 23:454-61. [PMID: 19191806 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2008.00917.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Abstract
On November 2006, a bilateral hand allotransplantation was performed for a 47-year-old female who had suffered radiocarpal amputations 28 years before. Technical aspects of the operation are detailed. Alemtuzumab induction, and triple therapy of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone were used to control rejection. The evolution of the result and functioning at 20 months are presented in detail. Two acute rejection episodes occurred and were successfully treated with steroids. In addition the patient developed a factitious visual disorder and a facial basal cell carcinoma. Functionally, at 20 months, the patient had a Hand Registry Functional Score of 69 (good), and a DASH score of 19.
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Sirolimus in kidney transplantation indications and practical guidelines: de novo sirolimus-based therapy without calcineurin inhibitors. Transplantation 2009; 87:S1-6. [PMID: 19384179 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181a059a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A de novo calcineurin inhibitor avoidance regimen based on sirolimus has been successfully used worldwide; demonstrating improved renal function from 1 to 5 years. This includes use of an induction antibody followed by sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. This combination has a somewhat different side effect profile and wider experience has revealed that the use of de novo sirolimus requires careful therapeutic drug level monitoring, especially the first 6 months posttransplant. Experience has also demonstrated that delaying the introduction of sirolimus in patients considered at high risk for early mammalian target of rapamycin associated complications will optimize these results. For such recipients, the initial use of a calcineurin inhibitor drug for 2 to 4 months is preferred, followed by conversion to sirolimus. The late withdrawal of steroids may be possible, but awaits further evaluation in randomized controlled trials.
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Knechtle SJ, Pascual J, Bloom DD, Torrealba JR, Jankowska-Gan E, Burlingham WJ, Kwun J, Colvin RB, Seyfert-Margolis V, Bourcier K, Sollinger HW. Early and limited use of tacrolimus to avoid rejection in an alemtuzumab and sirolimus regimen for kidney transplantation: clinical results and immune monitoring. Am J Transplant 2009; 9:1087-98. [PMID: 19344431 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2009.02581.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Alemtuzumab induction with 60 days of tacrolimus treatment and continuous sirolimus treatment prevented acute rejection in nine of 10 consecutive renal allograft recipients. All patients are alive with a functioning kidney graft at 27-39 months of follow-up. Extensive immune monitoring was performed in all patients. Alloantibody detection, cytokine kinetics assay (CKA), and trans vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay were performed every 6 months showing correlation with clinical evolution. Despite alloantibody presence in five patients, eight patients remain without the need for specific treatment and only sirolimus monotherapy in decreasing dosage. Four patients take only 1 mg sirolimus daily with levels of 3-4 ng/mL. One patient showed clinical signs of rejection at month 9 post-transplant, with slow increase in serum creatinine and histological signs of mixed cellular (endarteritis) and humoral rejection (C4d positivity in peritubular capillaries and donor-specific antibody (DSA)). In summary, the addition of tacrolimus therapy for 2 months to a steroid-free, alemtuzumab induction and sirolimus maintenance protocol limited the previously shown acute rejection development. Nevertheless, alloantibody was present in serum and/or C4d present on 1-year biopsy in half the patients. The combination of CKA and DSA monitoring or the performance of transvivo DTH correlated with immune status of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Knechtle
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
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Hawksworth JS, Leeser D, Jindal RM, Falta E, Tadaki D, Elster EA. New directions for induction immunosuppression strategy in solid organ transplantation. Am J Surg 2009; 197:515-24. [PMID: 19249743 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2008.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2008] [Accepted: 04/22/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Solid organ transplant centers are increasingly using induction immunosuppression strategies. Induction immunosuppression involves the use of intense therapy at the time of transplantation with the goal of preventing acute rejection and ultimately inducing a tolerogenic state. The objective of this review is to examine specialized induction agents currently in clinical use and highlight novel therapeutics on the horizon for induction immunosuppression. METHODS A literature search using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases identified salient basic science and clinical research articles on induction immunosuppression for solid organ transplantation. CONCLUSIONS While current induction immunosuppression agents have reduced the incidence of acute rejection, the goal of transplant tolerance has not been realized. Furthermore, the long-term allograft survival rate is not clearly influenced by the practice of induction immunosuppression. New approaches to tolerance induction, such as costimulatory-based therapy, mixed chimerism, and adoptive cellular transfer, hold promise for more effective induction immunosuppression in solid organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S Hawksworth
- Department of Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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Tan HP, Donaldson J, Basu A, Unruh M, Randhawa P, Sharma V, Morgan C, McCauley J, Wu C, Shah N, Zeevi A, Shapiro R. Two hundred living donor kidney transplantations under alemtuzumab induction and tacrolimus monotherapy: 3-year follow-up. Am J Transplant 2009; 9:355-66. [PMID: 19120078 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2008.02492.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Alemtuzumab has been used in off-label studies of solid organ transplantation. We extend our report of the first 200 consecutive living donor solitary kidney transplantations under alemtuzumab pretreatment with tacrolimus monotherapy and subsequent spaced weaning to 3 years of follow-up. We focused especially on the causes of recipient death and graft loss, and the characteristics of rejection. The actuarial 1-, 2- and 3-year patient and graft survivals were 99.0% and 98.0%, 96.4% and 90.8% and 93.3% and 86.3%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR) at the following months was 2%</=6, 9.0%</=12, 16.5%</=18, 19.5%</=24, 23.5%</=30, 24.0%</=36 and 25%</=42. The mean serum creatinine (mg/dL) and glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/1.73 m(2)) at 1 and 3 years were 1.4 +/- 0.6 and 58.7 +/- 21.6 and 1.5 +/- 0.7 and 54.9 +/- 20.9, respectively. Fifty (25%) recipients had a total of 89 episodes of ACR. About 88.7% of ACR episodes were Banff 1, and of those, 82% were steroid-sensitive. Nine (4.5%) recipients had antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). About 76.5% were weaned but only 46% are currently on spaced dose (qod or less) tacrolimus monotherapy, and 94.4% remained steroid-free from the time of transplantation. Infectious complications were uncommon. This experience suggests the 3-year efficacy of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- H P Tan
- The Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Pediatric Living Donor Kidney Transplantation Under Alemtuzumab Pretreatment and Tacrolimus Monotherapy: 4-Year Experience. Transplantation 2008; 86:1725-31. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181903da7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Tan J, Yang S, Cai J, Guo J, Huang L, Wu Z, Chen J, Liao L. Simultaneous islet and kidney transplantation in seven patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease using a glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive regimen with alemtuzumab induction. Diabetes 2008; 57:2666-71. [PMID: 18633105 PMCID: PMC2551676 DOI: 10.2337/db08-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2008] [Accepted: 06/30/2008] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of simultaneous islet and kidney transplantation in patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease using a glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive regimen with alemtuzumab induction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Seven patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal failure were transplanted with allogenic islets and kidneys procured from brain-dead donors. To prevent organ rejection, patients received alemtuzumab for induction immunosuppression, followed by sirolimus and tacrolimus. No glucocorticoids were given at any time. RESULTS The median duration of follow-up was 18.3 months (range 13-31). Kidney survival was 100%. Four patients became insulin independent at 1 year. The other three reduced insulin use to less than 25% of the amount required before transplantation. Serum C-peptide levels were significantly greater posttransplant in all patients, indicating continued islet function. No major procedure-related complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that a steroid-free immunosuppressive regimen consisting of alemtuzumab, sirolimus, and tacrolimus is feasible for simultaneous islet and kidney transplantation. The question of whether this induction regimen is superior to more standard induction deserves large studies.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Alemtuzumab
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/therapeutic use
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/therapy
- Feasibility Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage
- Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use
- Islets of Langerhans Transplantation/adverse effects
- Islets of Langerhans Transplantation/methods
- Kidney/drug effects
- Kidney/metabolism
- Kidney/physiology
- Kidney Failure, Chronic/metabolism
- Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy
- Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects
- Kidney Transplantation/methods
- Liver/drug effects
- Liver/metabolism
- Liver/physiology
- Liver Function Tests
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pilot Projects
- Sirolimus/administration & dosage
- Sirolimus/therapeutic use
- Tacrolimus/administration & dosage
- Tacrolimus/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Tan
- Organ Transplant Institute, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
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