title: Muromonab CD-3: a review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical use in transplantation.
abstract: Muromonab CD-3 (OKT-3) is a monoclonal antibody that is highly effective in the treatment of acute rejection in solid organ transplants. Due to its monoclonal nature, each molecule is identical because it is derived from a single antibody-producing clone. OKT-3 is administered only by intravenous injection and has a harmonic half-life of approximately 18 hours. It binds specifically to the CD-3 complex, which is involved in antigen recognition and cell stimulation, on the surface of T lymphocytes. Immediately after administration CD-3-positive T lymphocytes are abruptly removed from the circulation. The route of metabolism for OKT-3 is not clear; it may be removed by opsonization by the reticuloendothelial system when bound to T lymphocytes, or by human antimurine antibody production. The agent has been effective in reversing corticosteroid-resistant acute rejection in renal, liver, and cardiac transplant recipients. Its use in pancreatic and bone marrow recipients is inconclusive. OKT-3 has a considerable number of initial side effects, and some life-threatening reactions may occur. This drug should not be administered to any patient who is greater than 3% usual body weight because of the potential for the development of severe pulmonary edema. OKT-3 may also be associated with a high rate of infection, especially of the viral type. The usual dose is 5 mg administered as an intravenous bolus over 2-4 minutes daily for 10-14 days. Approximately 85% of patients treated with OKT-3 develop reactive human antimurine antibodies that, over time, may lead to tachyphylaxis and neutralization of the murine antibody OKT-3. OKT-3 is potent immunosuppressive agent and is an important prototype of future monoclonal antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA 30322.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hooks
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Millikan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006207:Half-Life; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D016853:Muromonab-CD3; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014181:Transplantation Immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016853:Muromonab-CD3