title: The use of original ex vivo immunoadsorption and "multi-manner" apheresis in ABO/H-mismatched kidney transplants--A phase II clinical study.
abstract: Anti-A/B depletion efficacy and clinical outcome for 22 ABO-incompatible kidney transplants were investigated. Preconditioning by anti-CD20 therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) by Cobe-Spectra (CaridianBCT USA) and simplified extracorporeal immunoadsorption (ECIA) as well as triple immunosuppression (tacrolimus/mycophenolate-mofetil/steroid) were performed. The use of TPE with ECIA resulted in a high in vivo anti-A/B depletion, 94.23±4.2% for IgG and 95.26±3.2% for IgM. The mean anti-A/B titers on day 0 were: IgG=1.27±1.03 and IgM=2.20±1.47. One HLA cross-match positive patient (beside ABO-incompatibility) subjected to double-dose anti-CD20 and intensive TPE-treatment had no allograft rejection. The level of serum creatinine ranged from 100 to 156 μmol/L in the entire group of patients during postoperative follow-up (up to 36 months). One recipient (with sepsis and multi organ distress syndrome) lost kidney function in early posttransplant period. ABO-incompatible (n=2) and ABO-compatible (n=3) kidney recipients had severe anemia and bleeding episodes. They were efficiently treated using original "multi-manner" apheresis. Our study represents a clear demonstration that the combination of TPE with ECIA and anti-CD20 is effective in anti-A/B depletion. This therapeutic approach is feasible in clinical setting showing satisfactory short-term results although verification of long-term effects needs to be confirmed in a larger study. The rapid beneficial outcome of "multi-manner" apheresis strongly supports the future use of this therapeutic modality for efficient oxygenation and advanced engraftment.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Transfusiology of MMA, Belgrade, Serbia. beciusb@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Bela
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Balint
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pavlovic
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Todorovic
authors.forename: Miodrag
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jevtic
authors.forename: Elizabeta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ristanovic
authors.forename: Ljiljana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ignjatovic
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000327:Adsorption; D000328:Adult; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000737:chemistry; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000737:chemistry; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D016559:Tacrolimus