title: Alemtuzumab in solid organ transplantation and in composite tissue allotransplantation.
abstract: Alemtuzumab (Campath®, Genzyme Corporation, MA, USA) is a potent monoclonal antilymphocyte, anti-CD52 antibody. Since the 1980s, alemtuzumab has been used extensively in organ transplantation as an induction agent - also with the aim of avoiding or reducing maintenance immunosuppression. We herein review the literature on alemtuzumab in solid organ and composite tissue allotransplantation with an emphasis on clinical and mechanistic aspects of alemtuzumab. In summary, the use of alemtuzumab in solid organ and composite tissue allotransplantation shows excellent early results and holds potential for wider use in conjunction with immunosuppression minimization protocols.
authors.affiliation: Center for Operative Medicine, Department of Visceral, Transplant & Thoracic Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weissenbacher
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boesmueller
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brandacher
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oellinger
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pratschke
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneeberger
mesh_terms: D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; C000613862:CD52 protein, human; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000074323:Alemtuzumab