Long-term results of ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation with antigen-specific immunoadsorption and rituximab

• Published in: Transplantation Vol. 84; no. 12 Suppl; p. S44
• Main Authors: Genberg, Helena, Kumlien, Gunilla, Wennberg, Lars, Tydén, Gunnar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 27.12.2007
• Subjects: ABO Blood-Group System; Adsorption; Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Blood Group Incompatibility; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Graft Survival; Humans; Immunosorbents - chemistry; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Kidney - immunology; Kidney Transplantation - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Rituximab; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0041-1337
• DOI: 10.1097/01.tp.0000296031.41424.f8

ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation has gained a renewed interest during the past years. In 2001, a protocol for ABOi kidney transplantation based on antigen-specific immunoadsorption and rituximab was introduced at our center. In this study long-term graft function using this protocol was assessed. All ABOi kidney recipients with >1-year follow-up (n=15) were compared with all ABO-compatible (ABOc) living donor kidney recipients maintained on the same basic immunosuppression (n=27). Patient and graft survival as well as rejections and calculated glomerular filtration rate were analyzed. Mean follow-up was 3 years. There was no significant difference in patient and graft survival nor in rejection episodes. Mean glomerular filtration rate (79-83 ml/min) was equivalent at 1, 2, and 3 years in both groups. We conclude that ABOi kidney transplantation using antigen-specific immunoadsorption and rituximab is equivalent to standard ABOc living donor kidney transplantation. ABOi transplantation following this protocol does not have a negative impact on graft function long-term.