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We performed a pilot study in which 22 kidney recipients (14 LD: 8 DCD) were given alemtuzumab induction (30 mg day 0 and 1), steroids (500 mg mp day 0 and 1, none thereafter), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) maintenance (500 mg b.i.d) and sirolimus (concentration controlled 8-12 ng/mL). With a mean follow-up of 15.9 months, patient survival is (21/22) 96% and graft survival (19/22) 87%. Acute rejections occurred in (8) 36.3% (two humoral). Of 19 surviving grafts, 18 (95%) remain steroid and 15 (79%) CNI-free. At 1 year, mean creatinine was 1.43 mg/dL. Overall infection rates were low, but 2 patients developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) at month 3 and 7, respectively, resulting in mortality in one and a graft loss in the other. No cancer or PTLD was observed. Leukopenia was common and MMF dose was reduced or eliminated in 6/22 (27%) patients. The reported higher than expected rate of acute rejection, leukopenia and possible pulmonary toxicity suggests excessive morbidity. Modifications such as an initial period of CNI use should be considered.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.01123.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Am J Transplant

Publication Date

12/2005

Volume

5

Pages

3009 - 3014

Keywords

Acute Disease, Adult, Aged, Alemtuzumab, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized, Antibodies, Neoplasm, Antineoplastic Agents, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Graft Rejection, Graft Survival, Humans, Immunosuppressive Agents, Infection, Kidney, Kidney Transplantation, Male, Middle Aged, Mycophenolic Acid, Pilot Projects, Sirolimus, Steroids