title: [Alemtuzumab induction in kidney transplant recipients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Induction therapy has been used in sensitized patients, re-transplants, and in patients who have high risk to delayed graft function (DGF) after renal transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study with aim to compare transplant endpoints between recipients of deceased donors which have received induction with alemtuzumab (n = 9) versus thymoglobulin (n = 18). Patients were matched for age, duration of dialysis treatment and cold ischemia time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences at demographic characteristics. All patients received kidney grafts from deceased donors and 67% of these donors met the expanded criteria. The incidence of DFG was similar in alemtuzumab and thymoglobulin groups, 55% and 56%. At 12 months, rates of rejection free survival (67% versus 89%, p = 0,13), graft survival (62,5% versus 76,6%; p = 0,73), graft with death censored (62,5% versus 76,6%; p = 0,82) and patient survival (83,3% versus 81,2%; p = 0,63) were similar between the two groups. Viral infections and renal function were similar between groups. At the end of the first month, alemtuzumab patients displayed a fewer lymphocyte number (135 ± 78 versus 263 ± 112 N/mm³, p < 0,05) followed by a more rapid recovery after 3 months (day 90: 683 ± 367 versus 282 ± 72 N/mm³; p < 0,05). Cost associated with alemtuzumab and thymoglobulin inductions therapies were R$ 1,388.00 and R$ 7,398.00.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this cohort of patients, alemtuzumab induction showed efficacy and safety comparable to thymoglobulin but with significant cost reduction.
authors: Departamento de Medicina Hospital do Rim e Hipertensão, Universidade Federal de São Paulo.
authors: Edison Luiz Mandia
authors: EL
authors: Sampaio
authors: Tainá Veras de Sandes
authors: TV
authors: Freitas
authors: Nelson Zocoler
authors: NZ
authors: Galante
authors: Sung In
authors: SI
authors: Park
authors: Kelly Miyuki
authors: KM
authors: Harada
authors: Filipe Augusto Bettencourt
authors: FA
authors: Haolla
authors: Claudia Rosso
authors: CR
authors: Felipe
authors: Paul Henri Clesca
authors: PH
authors: Troconis
authors: Marcello Fabiano de
authors: MF
authors: Franco
authors: Hélio Tedesco
authors: HT
authors: Silva Júnior
authors: José Osmar Medina
authors: JO
authors: Pestana
mesh_terms: D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051799:Delayed Graft Function / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; C512542:thymoglobulin