title: Anti-B cell therapy with rituximab as induction therapy in renal transplantation.
abstract: Traditionally, antirejection therapy in organ transplantation has mainly been directed at T cells. During recent years, the role of B cells in acute rejection has attracted more attention. In the Radboud University Medical Center (Nijmegen, The Netherlands) we performed a randomized, placebo controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of rituximab as induction therapy after renal transplantation. In parallel we investigated the effects of rituximab on the numbers and function of B and T cells. An overview of the results, which have largely been published in peer reviewed papers, is presented below.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Joosten
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Baas
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Kamburova
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M W F
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: van den Hoogen
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H J P M
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Koenen
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: luuk.hilbrands@radboudumc.nl.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Hilbrands
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D010919:Placebos; D000069283:Rituximab; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010919:Placebos; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: B cells; Immunosuppression; Kidney transplantation; Rituximab