title: Treatment of corneal transplant rejection in humans with anti-interferon-gamma antibodies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine efficacy of anti-human interferon-gamma F(ab')2 (Fabs) in treating corneal transplant rejection after penetrating keratoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interventional case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-interferon-gamma Fabs derived from goat antihuman interferon-gamma antibodies were used for instillations in 13 patients (13 eyes) who experienced corneal transplant rejection after penetrating keratoplasty. Fabs were administered in one or three treatment course(s) as eyedrops given three times daily for 7 to 10 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 10 patients, 2 to 3 days after start of one treatment course, transplant transparency improved, and edema decreased. At the end of week 1, the transplant became almost fully transparent, and eye inflammation disappeared. Visual acuity increased from 0.2 to 0.3. In the other three patients, three treatment courses were needed for comparable improvement. Improvement was maintained through follow-up-an average of 7 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antihuman interferon-gamma Fabs may be safe and effective in halting corneal transplant rejection after penetrating keratoplasty.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Biotherapy Labs, Rockville, Maryland, USA. sskurkovich@erols.com
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skurkovich
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasparov
authors.forename: Nikolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Narbut
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Skurkovich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006041:Goats; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma