Is the determination of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor after application of interleukin-2 receptor antibodies still appropriate for immunological monitoring after renal transplantation?
BACKGROUND
The use of monoclonal antibodies against the alpha-chain of the membrane-bound interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2Ralpha) as immune suppressants causes characteristic changes in the levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in serum and urine.


METHODS
38 kidney transplant patients were included in this study. 28 of them received an induction therapy with the IL-2R antibody basiliximax (Simulect) in addition to standard immunosuppression, 10 patients constituted the control group.


RESULTS
Time courses of sIL-2R levels of Simulect patients with and without complications after transplantation have been compared. It turned out that of a total of 18 cases with complications 15 cases could be identified by their elevated sIL-2R levels, which corresponds to a sensitivity of 83%.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute rejection, CMV infection, extrarenal bacterial infection and pyelonephritis in the transplant all cause a significant increase of the sIL-2R level even after application of Simulect.
Hamza
Amir
A
Department of Urology and Transplant Center of the Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.
Fischer
Kersten
K
Loertzer
Hagen
H
Fornara
Paolo
P
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077552:Basiliximab; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000077552:Basiliximab