title: Experience with Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) as induction agent in renal transplantation followed by steroid-free immunosuppression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to describe the initial experience with alemtuzumab as induction followed by steroid-free immunosuppression in kidney transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients who received renal transplants from living and deceased donors were followed for a median period of 12 months (range = 1 to 12). A 30-mg intravenous dose of Alemtuzumab was administered on the transplant day, preceded by a 500-mg methylprednisolone dose. Maintenance immunosuppression consisted in the use of a calcineurin inhibitor in association with mycophenolic acid. Maintenance C2 levels of cyclosporine were between 400 and 600 ng/dL; or of tacrolimus, between 4 and 7 ng/dL. Prophylaxis included valgancyclovir, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole, and nystatin. All patients were evaluated for acute rejection episodes, adverse events, or death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cumulative incidences of acute rejection at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 0%, 4% (n = 4), 5% (n = 5), and 8% (n = 8), respectively. Most episodes were Banff 1 a or b (88%). The infectious complication rate was 23%. There was no case of cytomegalovirus infection or posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease. Three patients died: one due to tuberculosis; one, sepsis; and one, an acute coronary event. No patient was lost to follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggested the safety and efficacy of Campath-1H as an induction agent in renal transplant recipients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplantation, Colombiana de Trasplantes, Bogota, Colombia. yenny@nationaltransplant.org
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Baez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giron
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Niño-Murcia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salcedo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002102:Cadaver; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014019:Tissue Donors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid