一剂赛尼哌对肾移植急性排斥反应的预防作用

目的 探讨1剂赛尼哌在预防同种异体肾移植急性排斥反应中的作用。方法 回顾性分析50例应用1剂赛尼哌的肾移植患者资料，同期30例未应用赛尼哌患者作为对照，随访6个月。分析比较2组患者急性排斥反应、移植肾功能、感染及赛尼哌不良反应发生情况。结果 赛尼哌组发生急性排斥反应13例（26％），对照组为17例（57％），差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），2组患者药物不良作用方面、血液系统损害、肝功能损害、感染发生率及人／肾存活率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论 联合应用1剂赛尼哌免疫抑制方案可以降低肾移植急性排斥反应发生率，改善移植肾功能，不良反应轻。     

抗CD25抗体在致敏受者肾脏移植免疫诱导治疗中的临床观察

目的　评价致敏受者肾脏移植应用抗CD2 5抗体 (赛尼哌 )作为免疫诱导治疗的有效性和安全性。方法　将 36例接受肾移植的致敏受者随机分为两组 ,赛尼哌组 18例 ,OKT3组 18例。所有患者免疫抑制维持治疗为他克莫司 (FK5 0 6 )或环孢素A(CsA) +霉酚酸酯 (MMF) +泼尼松(Pred)三联疗法。赛尼哌组 :分别在术前 2 4h和术后 14d静脉内输入 5 0mg赛尼哌 ;OKT3组 :术后第 1d开始应用OKT3,每天 5mg ,持续 5～ 10d。观察两组术后半年内急性排斥 (AR)、移植肾功能延迟恢复 (DGF)的发生情况。结果　有 7例患者术后发生AR ,其中赛尼哌组 4例 ,OKT3组 3例。有13例发生DGF ,其中赛尼哌组 4例 ,OKT3组 9例 (P <0 .0 1)。在过敏反应、细胞因子释放综合征、神经系统症状、感染等方面 ,赛尼哌组发生率明显低于OKT3组 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　赛尼哌是一种强效安全的免疫抑制剂 ,在致敏受者肾移植的免疫诱导治疗中效果满意。     

肾移植术后早期肾功能恢复对人肾长期存活的影响

目的 探讨肾移植术后早期肾功能恢复情况对人肾长期存活的影响。方法 总结1990-1998年652例肾移植患者资料。根据肾功能恢复情况分为3组：肾功能恢复迅速（IGF）组（A组）473例，肾功能恢复缓慢未行透析治疗（SGF）组（B组）82例，肾功能延迟恢复（DGF）组（C组）97例。对3组患者5、10年人。肾存活率及1年急性排斥反应和带肾死亡情况进行比较分析。结果 A组5、10年人／肾存活率分别为74．0％／70．2％、66．9％／60．3％，B组为64．6％／61．0％、62．2％／42．2％，C组为60．8％／43．3％、55．7％／23．0％。5年人存活率A、B组高于C组，5年。肾存活率A组高于C组，5年人／肾存活率A、B组差异无统计学意义。10年人／肾存活率A组〉B组〉C组，差异均有统计学意义。3组1年急性排斥反应发生率为20．1％、30．5％、43．2％，组间差异有统计学意义。3组1年带肾死亡率为4．7％、4．9％、12．4％，A、B组〈C组，A、B组间差异无统计学意义。急性排斥反应和带肾死亡病例排除后进行比较，3组长期存活率差异无统计学意义。结论 肾移植术后早期肾功能恢复情况对移植患者长期人肾存活有明显影响，DGF患者的影响最明显，SGF预后介于IGF和DGF间。SGF和DGF对长期存活的影响可能源于移植早期较高的急性排斥反应或并发症发生率。     

移植肾功能延迟恢复的临床诊治体会

目的．探讨肾移植术后移植肾功能延迟恢复（DGF）的病因及治疗方法。方法分析本组发生的43例肾移植术后DGF患者的临床资料，主要原因：急性排斥（AR）17例（39．5％），急性肾小管坏死（ATN）16例（37．2％），输尿管梗阻4例（9．3％），免疫抑制剂肾毒性4例（9．3％），动脉吻合口狭窄2例（4．6％）。经血液透析治疗16例，ATG／ALG或OKT3治疗12例，外科手术6例。结果36例肾移植术后8—113d（平均23．8d）肾功能恢复正常，2例肌酐在176—300μmol／L之间，4例恢复血透，1例死于肺部感染。结论AR和ATN是引起肾移植术后DGF的主要因素，术前严格配型、合理筛选受者及保证供肾质量等是成功的关键。     

合并海洋性贫血的尿毒症患者肾移植的临床观察

目的探讨海洋性贫血对尿毒症患者肾移植效果的影响。方法为46例合并海洋性贫血的尿毒症患者施行。肾移植（海洋性贫血组），其中α海洋性贫血26例，β海洋性贫血20例，观察患者术后移植。肾功能恢复延迟（DGF）和排斥反应的发生率以及贫血的纠正情况，对于移植。肾功能恢复正常者，记录其。肾功能恢复正常的时间，并测定血肌酐值。以同期施行的131例。肾移植（均伴有程度不等的贫血，但非海洋性贫血）为对照。结果海洋性贫血组DGF的发生率为26．1％，对照组为23．7％，二者比较，差异无统计学意义。术后6个月，人、肾均存活，且未失访的患者，海洋性贫血组有39例，对照组有109例，6个月内，海洋性贫血组30．8％发生排斥反应，对照组32．1％发生排斥反应，两组比较，差异无统计学意义；海洋性贫血组的血肌酐值为（121±20）μmol／L，对照组为（128±33）μmol／L，两组比较，差异无统计学意义；海洋性贫血组79．5％的贫血得到纠正，对照组76．1％的贫血得到纠正，两组比较，差异无统计学意义。结论合并海洋性贫血的尿毒症患者可接受肾移植治疗，临床效果与不合并该病者相仿。     

HLA配型对群体反应性抗体阳性的肾移植受者人/肾存活率的影响

目的探讨HLA交叉反应组（CREGs）配型对群体反应性抗体（PRA）阳性肾移植受者人／肾存活率的影响。方法应用美国莱姆德公司LAT1240、LM720R、SSP2LB试剂，准确检测112例PRA阳性肾移植受者体内PRA的水平及其抗体的特异性，评估其致敏状态，应用CREGs配型标准选择最匹配的供者。结果112例受者中，HLA-Ⅰ类抗体阳性43例，Ⅱ类抗体阳性39例，Ⅰ、Ⅱ类抗体均为阳性30例；HLA配型0～5个位点错配数分别为6、39、38、21、7、1例，术后移植肾发生加速性排斥反应2例、急性排斥反应18例、慢性排斥反应5例、移植肾功能延迟恢复（DGF）4例，因排斥反应导致移植肾切除1例，死亡13例（其中移植肾带功能死亡5例）。目前人存活99例，肾存活96例，5年、3年和1年肾存活率分别为86．21％、86．96％和91．96％。结论运用CREGs配型原则，能使供、受者间的HLA相配率显著提高，可减少PRA对肾移植的不良影响，提高PRA阳性受者的人／肾存活率。     

肝肾联合移植中肝脏对肾脏的保护作用

目的探讨肝肾联合移植中肝脏对肾脏的保护作用。方法回顾性分析2001年10月至2006年6月18例接受肝肾联合移植患者的资料,并以同一供体的对侧肾脏所完成的单独肾移植18例受者作为对照,2组患者年龄、性别、血型、冷热缺血时间、人类白细胞抗原（HLA）配型、肾病原发病、免疫抑制方案等条件基本匹配。对2组患者间移植肾急性排斥反应（AR）、慢性排斥反应（CR）、移植肾功能延迟恢复（DGF）的发生率以及出院时血肌酐（SCr）水平进行比较。结果肝肾联合移植组AR和DGF发生率均明显低于单独肾移植组,差异有统计学意义（5．6％对33．3％,P= 0．044;0对27．8％,P=0．023）;肝肾移植组CR发生率明显低于单独肾移植组,但差异无统计学意义（0对11．1％,P=0．243）。出院时平均SCr水平肝肾移植组明显低于单独肾移植组,差异有统计学意义[（57．1±6．0）μmol／L对（123．0±11．7）μmol／L,P=0．018）]。结论肝肾联合移植中肝脏对肾脏具有保护作用,能够维持良好的移植肾功能。     

肾移植中2剂舒莱和2剂赛尼哌对外周血可溶性白细胞介素-2受体水平的影响及意义

目的:探讨2剂舒莱和2剂赛尼哌在尸体肾移植中对外周血可溶性白细胞介素2受体(sIL2R)水平的影响及意义。方法:105例首次接受尸体肾移植的受者随机分为舒莱组、赛尼哌组和对照组,所有受者术后均接受普乐可复或环孢素A加骁悉加泼尼松三联疗法。另外舒莱组在术前2h、术后4天静脉滴注20mg舒莱,赛尼哌组在前24h、术后7天静脉滴注50mg赛尼哌。检测各组术前及术后每周共8周外周血中sIL2R水平变化,记录2个月内急性排斥(AR)的例数。结果:舒莱和赛尼哌组外周血中sIL2R水平分别在术后8周和3周内比对照组低(P<0.05)。术后第4～6周舒莱组比赛尼哌组低(P<0.05)。在术后2个月内,舒莱组、赛尼哌组和对照组发生急性排斥反应的例次分别为1、9、17例,各组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:2剂舒莱对外周血中sIL2R的抑制及抗急性排斥反应效果比2剂赛尼哌好。     

862例肾移植患者应用他克莫司的临床经验

目的 探讨肾移植患者术后长期应用他克莫司（FK506）的疗效和安全性。方法 （1）选取1997至2005年肾移植术后长期应用FK506的患者862例，根据患者的年龄分为儿童组（〈18岁）18例，成人组（≥18岁，≤60岁）692例，高龄组（〉60岁）152例；根据术前是否有糖尿病分为糖尿病组（164例）和非糖尿病组（698例），比较各组间1、3、5年的人／肾存活率、排斥反应率及毒副反应发生率。（2）选择上述应用FK506的糖尿病患者164例（FK506组），另选同期肾移植术后应用环孢素A（CsA）的糖尿病患者126例（CsA组），比较两组1年内高血糖发生率及胰岛素的应用情况。结果 （1）儿童组、成人组和高龄组的1年人／肾存活率（％）分别为93．8／93．8、98．8／97．2和97．8／95．7；3年人／肾存活率（％）分别为91．7／83．3、96．5／87．3和94．7／93．3；儿童组1、3年人／肾存活率略低于成人组和高龄组，但三组间比较，差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。儿童组有3例患者均带肾存活超过5年，成人组和高龄组的5年人／肾存活率（％）为87．5／84．4和90．4／85．7。糖尿病组1、3、5年人／肾存活率（％）分别为96．5／94．4、91．5／84．1和88．2／82．4，非糖尿病组为98．2／97．3、97．1／89．1和89．7／87．2，两组比较，差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。862例患者的1、3、5年的急性排斥反应发生率分别为9．9％、12．69％和16．07％；3、5年的慢性排斥反应发生率分别为5．25％和12．5%。FK506的毒副作用有肝功能损害、肾中毒、感染等，其发病率分别为7．54％、5．33％和12．41%，神经、精神毒性和脱发的发生率为15．89％和4．76％。非糖尿病组的糖代谢紊乱发生率为16．7％。（2）FK506组术后1个月有112例（68．3％）使用胰岛素，平均剂量为32．72IU／d，术后1年有63例（38．4%）使用胰岛素，平均剂量为13．46IU／d；CsA组术后1个月有78例（61．9％）使用胰岛素，平均剂量为29．08IU／d，术后1年有40例（31．79／）使用胰岛素，平均剂量为12．29IU／d。结论 肾移植术后长期应用FK506可降低排斥反应发生率，提高移植肾存活率。FK506是一种安会有效的基础免疫抑制剂，也适用于儿童和高龄患者。     

舒莱联合免疫抑制剂对移植肾功能恢复的临床分析

目的：探讨白细胞介素2受体（IL-2R）单克隆抗体（商品名舒莱）联合其他免疫抑制剂对移植肾功能恢复的影响。方法：44例肾移植受者随机分成舒莱诱导治疗组（22例）和对照组（22例），两组患者均采用三联免疫抑制剂骁悉（MMF）＋环孢素A（CsA）或普乐可复（FK506）＋醋酸泼尼松龙治疗。结果：肾移植术后患者移植肾功能延迟恢复发生率两组无明显区别（P〉O．05），诱导治疗组急性排斥反应发生率（4．5％）明显低于对照组（27．3％），差异有统计学意义（P〈O．05）。结论：舒莱的临床应用有效降低了急性排斥反应发生率，但对移植肾功能延迟恢复疗效不显著；舒莱＋MMF＋FK506的联合应用对移植肾功能恢复有很好疗效。     

One year results of preoperative single bolus ATG-Fresenius induction therapy in sensitized renal transplant recipients

Sensitization in kidney transplantation is associated with more acute rejections, inferior graft survival, and an increase in delayed graft function. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative single bolus antithymocyte globulin (ATG) induction therapy in sensitized renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Fifty-six cadaveric donor kidney transplant recipients were divided into two groups: Group I (nonsensitized group, n = 30) and group II (sensitized group, PRA>10%, n = 26). ATG was given as a single preoperative bolus induction therapy to group II (ATG IV; 9 mg/kg). The group I patients were treated with mycophenolate mofetil preoperatively as induction therapy. The basic immunosuppressive regimen included tacrolimus (FK-506) or cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone. After hospital discharge, patients were followed on a routine outpatient basis for 12 months. RESULTS: Acute rejection episodes (ARE) occurred in 20% (6/30) of group I and 15.38% (4/26) of group II patients (P = NS). Infections occurred in eight patients (26.7%) as 11 episodes (36.7%), averaging 1.4 episodes per infected patient in group 1, and 6 patients (23.1%) for a total of 10 episodes (38.5%), averaging 1.7 episodes per infected patient, in group II (P = NS). Occurrence of side effects and hospital stay were almost comparable in the two groups. No delayed graft function was observed in either group. The 12-month actuarial patient and graft survival were 100% in Group I and II. CONCLUSION: A preoperative single bolus ATG induction therapy was an effective and safe therapeutic measure, yielding an acceptable acute rejection rate in presensitized renal transplant recipients.     

Single-shot antithymocyte globuline and daclizumab induction in simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant recipient: three-year results

Since 1996, preoperative single-shot dose antithymocyte globuline (ATG) with prednisolone (PRD), mycophenolate mofetile (MMF), and tacrolimus (TAC) is the favorite induction therapy in our center. In a series of 25 first simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant (SPK) recipients, 5 doses of daclizumab were administered in addition to standard induction. Here we present our 3-year experience. Immunosuppression was started prior to reperfusion consisting of daclizumab (1 mg/kg body weight [bw]), ATG (4-6 mg/kg bw) and 250 mg PRD. After surgery, PRD was reduced gradually, TAC trough levels were between 8-15 ng/mL, MMF was given twice daily (2-3 g/d) as well as 4 further doses dacilzumab every 14 days. After 3 years, patient, pancreas, and kidney graft survival rates are 100%, 84%, and 92%, respectively. Four pancreas grafts were lost (chronic allograft dysfunction, n = 2; recurrent abdominal infection, n = 1; acute rejection [AR] without treatment, n = 1). Both patients suffering from severe infection and untreated AR lost their kidney graft too. During the first 3 months after SPK, 3 AR episodes were observed in 2 patients (8%). After a 3-year period, 8 AR episodes occurred in 7 recipients (28%). AR was treated using PRD (n = 5) or ATG (n = 1). In 1 case, immunosuppression was switched from TAC to sirolimus successfully. Overall, 8 AR episodes occurred in 7 patients (28%) during the first 3 years after SPK. One severe infection led to graft lost 13 months after SPK. In this series, the combination of ATG and daclizumab prevented AR episodes, successfully providing considerable 3-year survival rates.     

Calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppression in dual kidney transplantation from elderly donors

BACKGROUND: Kidneys from expanded-criteria donors may be particularly susceptible to calcineurin inhibitor (CI)-mediated vasoconstriction and nephrotoxicity. In the early post-transplant phase, using CI may prolong ischemic injury and, in the long term, chronic CI nephrotoxicity is an even greater concern. To avoid the acute and chronic consequences of CI in kidneys from marginal donors, CI-free protocols have been introduced for maintenance immunosuppressive therapy. A CI-free protocol of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction, sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroids has been adopted at our center in recipients of dual kidney transplantation (DKT) from elderly donors (EDs). METHODS: Dual kidney transplantations performed since April 2003 on CI-free immunosuppression (group 1 = 31) were compared with earlier DKTs in recipients treated with CI-based therapy (group 2 = 25), retrospectively analyzing patient and graft survival, surgical and medical complications, rejection episodes and renal function. RESULTS: No deaths occurred after a mean follow-up of 10.1 +/- 7.6 (group 1) and 48.2 +/- 17.4 months (group 2). Graft loss occurred in one patient in group 1 (bilateral renal vein thrombosis) and in three patients in group 2 (one primary non-function [PNF], one chronic rejection, one Kaposi's sarcoma). The incidence of acute rejection was 19% in group 1 and 16% in group 2. Delayed graft function (DGF) was recorded in 16% and 48%, respectively. Renal function was better in group 1, with a mean S-Cr of 135 +/- 48 vs. 210 +/- 141 micromol/L at one month and 116 +/- 30 vs. 149 +/- 49 micromol/L at six months. CONCLUSIONS: After DKT from EDs, a CI-free immunosuppressive regimen including ATG induction, sirolimus, MMF and steroids affords excellent results, with a lower DGF rate and a better renal function.     

Induction Immunosuppression and Clinical Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

There is an increased risk of acute rejection (AR) in human immunodeficiency virus–positive (HIV+) kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Induction immunosuppression is standard of care for those at high risk of AR; however, use in HIV+ patients is controversial, given fears of increased infection rates. We sought to compare clinical outcomes between HIV+ KT recipients who were treated with (i) anti–thymocyte globulin (ATG), (ii) IL‐2 receptor blocker, and (iii) no induction. We studied 830 HIV+ KT recipients between 2000 and 2014, as captured in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, and compared rates of delayed graft function (DGF), AR, graft loss and death. Infections and hospitalizations were ascertained by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes in a subset of 308 patients with Medicare. Compared with no induction, neither induction agent was associated with an increased risk of infection (weighted hazard ratio [wHR] 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–1.18). HIV+ recipients who received induction spent fewer days in the hospital (weighted relative risk [wRR] 0.70, 95% CI 0.52–0.95), had lower rates of DGF (wRR 0.66, 95% CI 0.51–0.84), less graft loss (wHR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24–0.89) and a trend toward lower mortality (wHR 0.60, 95% CI 0.24–1.28). Those who received induction with ATG had lower rates of AR (wRR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35–0.99). Induction in HIV+ KT recipients was not associated with increased infections; in fact, those receiving ATG, the most potent agent, had the lowest rates. In light of the high risk of AR in this population, induction therapy should be strongly considered.     

Risk factors and consequences of delayed graft function in deceased donor renal transplant patients receiving antithymocyte globulin induction

BACKGROUND: Induction rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) is largely used in renal allograft recipients at risk for delayed graft function (DGF) and immunologic rejection. The purpose of our study was to characterize risk factors and outcomes associated with DGF when it occurs in recipients undergoing routine rATG induction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our experience in a predominantly high-risk population receiving modern immunosuppressive regimens. RESULTS: Of 231 deceased-donor transplants, high-risk characteristics included African American race (68%), retransplants (12%), peak panel reactive antibody of atleast 20% (19%), expanded criteria donor kidney (15%), and cold ischemia time exceeding 24 hr (27%). DGF occurred in 29% of patients. rATG was continued to a dose of 7.3 mg/kg in DGF patients and 5 mg/kg in non-DGF patients (P<0.0001). Risk factors for DGF were recipient body mass index greater than 30 kg/m(2) (odds ratio [OR]=1.5, P=0.02), female donor/male recipient pairings (OR=1.5, P=0.033), sirolimus use (OR=1.7, P=0.003), and donor creatinine more than 1.5 mg/dL (OR=1.6, P=0.016). One-year patient survival (99% non-DGF, 91% DGF; P=0.001) and acute rejection incidence through 36 months (11% non-DGF, 22.4% DGF; P=0.025) differed between groups. DGF patients experienced a higher rejection rate during the second and third years posttransplant. Death-censored graft survival was similar throughout 36 months. CONCLUSION: In kidney transplantation with routine rATG induction, DGF was related to size and gender, donor creatinine, and immunosuppressive protocol. Despite low first-year rejection rates, DGF was associated with inferior patient survival. Importantly, patients with DGF continued to be at risk for rejection beyond the first year. Donor and recipient selection impacts short-term outcomes, and induction alone may not confer a long-term advantage without further modification of baseline therapy.     

Outcomes of Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients Stratified by Histologic Biopsy Findings

Delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation is associated with an increased risk of graft failure. We studied the histologic findings among adult kidney transplant recipients transplanted between January 2000 and June 2015 who had DGF and had a kidney biopsy within 14 days of transplant. Death censored graft failure (DCGF) and death at 1 and 3 years after transplant were examined. A total of 269 transplant recipients fulfilled our selection criteria, of which 152 (56.51%) had acute tubular necrosis (ATN), 44 (16.4%) had acute rejection (AR), mainly T-cell mediated rejection (n = 31), 35 (13%) had ATN with AR (mainly T-cell mediated rejection, n = 26), and 38 (14.1%) had other pathology. Compared with those with ATN alone, kidney transplant recipients with AR alone had a significantly higher risk of DCGF at 1 year post transplant (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.70; 95% confidence interval 1.5-9.5; P = .006). Those with AR alone had an increased risk of DCGF at 3 years post transplant (hazard ratio = 3.10; 95% confidence interval 1.3-8.5; P = .01) in crude analyses. There was no association between DGF etiology and mortality. Early renal biopsy can be used to distinguish AR, which has protocolized treatments, from other etiologies. This could potentially alter allograft survival within 1 year of transplant complicated by DGF.     

阿来佐单抗行肾移植免疫诱导治疗的有效性和安全性

目的 评价阿来佐单抗行肾移植免疫诱导治疗的有效性和安全性.方法 将89例肾移植受者随机分为试验组(43例)和对照组(46例).试验组于肾移植术前和术后24 h内分别静脉滴注阿来佐单抗15 mg,对照组不接受免疫诱导治疗.受者术后常规应用环孢素A(或他克莫司)+吗替麦考酚酯+泼尼松预防排斥反应.统计两组术后12月内的移植肾功能、急性排斥反应发生率、感染发生率、移植肾功能延迟恢复发生率、移植肾存活率及淋巴细胞计数,并用ImmuKnowTM免疫细胞功能测定法检测受者CD4+T淋巴细胞的三磷酸腺苷(ATP)值.结果 术后12个月内试验组7.0%(3/43)的受者发生病理证实的急性排斥反应,明显低于对照组的23.9%(11/46,P＜0.05).试验组和对照组总体的感染发生率为别为39.5%(17/43)和30.4%(14/46,P＞0.05),两组机会性感染的发生率分另为23.2%(10/43)和17.4%(8/46,P＞0.05).术后3个月内,试验组淋巴细胞计数低于对照组;术后6个月内,试验组CD4+T淋巴细胞ATP值低于对照组.结论 阿来佐单抗行肾移植免疫诱导治疗可维持受者的免疫抑制状态,未见严重不良反应.     

Single-shot antithymocyte globulin (ATG) induction for pancreas/kidney transplantation: ATG-Fresenius versus Thymoglobulin

Single-shot antithymocyte globulin (ATG) prior to reperfusion followed by tacrolimus (TAC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisolone (PRD) is an established induction therapy in simultaneous pancreas kidney transplant (SPK) recipients. We retrospectively analyzed 6-month data from 105 patients who received their first SPK. From January 1996 to December 2000, ATG-Fresenius was used. Since January 2001, Thymoglobulin has been administered. In the first group, 58 patients were treated with ATG-Fresenius (4-6 mg/kg body weight). In the second group, 47 patients received Thymoglobulin (1.5-2.5 mg/kg body weight). HLA-mismatch was comparable. After an observation period of 6 months, patients, kidney, and pancreas graft survival is 98.3%, 96.6%, and 93.1% in group I and 97.9%, 97.9%, and 85.1% in group II, respectively. In each group, one death with functioning graft (DWFG) was observed. Twenty (34.5%) acute rejection episodes (AR) were observed (18 patients) in group I. They were treated with steroids (n = 16) or steroids/OKT3 (n = 4). One kidney graft failure was observed due to rejection and one due to DWFG. Four pancreas grafts were lost (thrombosis, n = 2; AR, n = 1; DWFG, n = 1). In group II, 15 AR (31.9%) were seen in 12 patients and were treated with steroids (n = 12), steroids/ATG (n = 1), or steroids/OKT3 (n = 2). Seven pancreas (thrombosis, n = 5; rejection, n = 1; DWFG, n = 1) and one kidney (DWFG, n = 1) graft losses occurred. These data clearly establish that single-shot ATG prior to reperfusion, followed by TAC, MMF, and PRD results in a low incidence of AR (34.5% in group I and 31.9% in group II) after SPK. Only 6.9% (group I) and 6.4% (group II) of the patients received antibodies for rejection treatment.     

A single center's clinical experience with quadruple immunosuppression including ATG or IL2 antibodies and mycophenolate mofetil in simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplants

Acute rejection remains a major problem in simultaneous pancreas–kidney (SPK) transplant and occurs in 60–100% of the cases.
With the introduction of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) replacing azathioprine (AZA) as a basis immunosuppressant, reduced rates of rejection have been reported. This study investigates the frequency and clinical relevance of allograft rejection in SPK patients receiving anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) or Basiliximab® induction therapy and cyclosporine Neoral® (CyA), MMF, steroid basis immunosuppression.
Between December 1996 and October 1999, 21 consecutive patients (15 males, 6 females) received a SPK transplant at our institution with a mean±standard deviation (SD) age of 42±6 yr. Of these, 14 patients were treated with anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) Fresenius® (rabbit) 3–5 mg/kg for 6±2 d, cyclosporine Neoral (CyA) (trough levels 350–400 ng/mL), MMF 3 g/d and low dose steroid therapy. Seven SPK patients were treated with Basiliximab (Simulect®, Novartis 20 mg on d 0 and d 4 post‐transplant) instead of ATG. The patients had an average human leucocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch of 3.9/6 and a negative cross match. All patients remained on triple drug therapy. Three patients were switched to tacrolimus instead of Neoral for CyA intolerance. The mean±SD cold ischemia time (CIT) of the organs was 10.1±2.4 h for the pancreas and 10.5±2.6 h for the kidney.
Results: Biopsy‐proven rejection occurred in the kidney of 1 ATG patient (8%), which responded to steroid bolus therapy. One of the patients (14%) with Basiliximab induction developed renal allograft rejection, which was resolved after a 6‐d course of anti‐CD3 mAb (OKT3) treatment. All patients (100%) were free from rejection in the pancreas, as measured by urine amylase levels and glycemic control without the need for exogenous insulin with a mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA₁C) of 5.1±0.7% and serum creatinine with a mean of 1.24±0.24 mg/dL in a mean follow‐up period of 17±15 months (median 12, range 2–37).
Conclusion: Triple drug immunosuppression including cyclosporine, MMF and low dose steroids with ATG or interleukin 2 (IL2) receptor antibodies induction therapy appears to be a very suitable immunosuppressive regimen for combined pancreas–kidney transplant (PKT) with a marked reduction in the incidence of rejection.