title: Efficacy and tolerability of interleukin-2 receptor blockade with basiliximab in pediatric renal transplant recipients.
abstract: Rejection remains a major threat in pediatric renal transplantation (Tx), causing graft failure and increased exposure to drugs. The new chimeric antibody, basiliximab, directed against the alpha-chain of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), has been shown to be effective in preventing rejection episodes in adult renal transplant recipients. In our single-center experience from Essen, Germany, we evaluated prospectively the efficacy and tolerability of basiliximab, in combination with cyclosporin A (CsA) and prednisone, in 38 unselected pediatric patients. Mean patient age at Tx was 10.1 yr. Twenty-eight children received a cadaveric organ and 10 children received living-related donor grafts. The 1-yr patient survival rate was 100% and the 1-yr graft survival rate was 95% (36/38 patients). No graft was lost as a result of immunological factors, and single rejection episodes were observed in eight patients (21%). Two of these rejections were steroid-resistant and responded to tacrolimus rescue therapy. The rate of infections was not enhanced; overt cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease was observed in two patients only. Malignancies have not been seen to date. The blockade of the alpha-chain of the IL-2R lasted for up to 6 weeks. We conclude that the addition of basiliximab to standard immunosuppression in pediatric renal transplant recipients is well tolerated and results in a low incidence of rejection. The simple mode of application and the lack of side-effects make basiliximab an especially useful adjunct in pediatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. udo.vester@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Vester
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kranz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malagò
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beelen
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Broelsch
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hoyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077552:Basiliximab; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000187:drug effects*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000077552:Basiliximab; D011241:Prednisone