Improved xenograft survival with continuous infusion deoxyspergualin and RATG.
The critical shortage of available donor organs is the major limit to current allogeneic transplantation. Xenografting has the potential to overcome this difficult problem. Suppressing the vigorous rejection response remains a major obstacle to the clinical application of xenografting, 15-Deoxyspergualin (DOSP), a potent new immunosuppressive agent has been shown to be effective in allogeneic and xenogeneic experimental models. This study tests DOSP in combination with rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) in the hamster-to-rat cardiac xenograft. Results show that combination therapy with DOSP/RATG was superior to treatment with either agent alone (p less than .05). Optimal graft prolongation (20.9 days versus control of 3.1 days, p less than .05) was achieved with combination therapy of RATG and DOSP 2.5 mg/kg day-1 by continuous infusion.
DeMasi
R
R
Department of Surgery, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27858.
Araneda
D
D
Gross
U
U
Daniel
H
H
Larkin
E
E
Thomas
J
J
Swanson
M
M
Nifong
W
W
Thomas
F
F
D000818:Animals; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006224:Cricetinae; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006146:Guanidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D006146:Guanidines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C037258:gusperimus