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Maritati F, Corradetti V, Bini C, Provenzano M, Cuna V, Busutti M, Tondolo F, Zappulo F, Vischini G, Iacovella F, Abenavoli C, Borelli G, Demetri M, Fabbrizio B, Radi G, Ravaioli M, Mele C, La Manna G, Comai G. "Eculizumab First" in the Management of Posttransplant Thrombotic Microangiopathy. Kidney Int Rep 2024; 9:982-993. [PMID: 38765562 PMCID: PMC11101752 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Posttransplant thrombotic microangiopathy (PT-TMA) is an uncommon event that characterizes approximately 3% to 14% of kidney transplants (KTs), and that is associated with a higher risk of delayed graft function and graft loss. PT-TMA occurs more frequently within the first 3 months after transplant and can be a manifestation of de novo disease or the recurrence of previous atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Abnormalities in complement regulation genes could explain the increased susceptibility of some patients to PT-TMA. Eculizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits the formation of the membrane attack complex C5b-9. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of eculizumab as treatment for PT-TMA. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical records of 45 KT patients who received eculizumab immediately after the clinical diagnosis of PT-TMA. Results Kidney biopsy was performed in 91.1% of patients, and complement genetic study was performed in 64.4%. Of the kidney biopsies, 85.4% showed signs of TMA; genetic analysis revealed 1 pathogenetic variant, 2 variants of uncertain significance, 1 likely benign variant, 8 risk polymorphisms, and 27 risk haplotypes. After 2 weeks from the treatment starting, hemoglobin and platelets significantly increased. A remarkable improvement in kidney function was also observed. After 6 months, 28.8% of patients had a complete renal recovery whereas 44.4% had a partial recovery. Conclusion This is, to our knowledge, the largest series of KT patients with PT-TMA treated with eculizumab. These data suggest that eculizumab is associated with a normalization of hemolysis indices and an important and progressive improvement of graft function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Maritati
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Corradetti
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Bini
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Provenzano
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Vania Cuna
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Busutti
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Tondolo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fulvia Zappulo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gisella Vischini
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Iacovella
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Azienda USL della Romagna, Infermi Hospital, Rimini, Italy
| | - Chiara Abenavoli
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Greta Borelli
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcello Demetri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Benedetta Fabbrizio
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgia Radi
- Hepato-biliary Surgery and Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Ravaioli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Hepato-biliary Surgery and Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Caterina Mele
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases Aldo e Cele Daccò Ranica, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Gaetano La Manna
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgia Comai
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Santarsiero D, Aiello S. The Complement System in Kidney Transplantation. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050791. [PMID: 36899927 PMCID: PMC10001167 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney transplantation is the therapy of choice for patients who suffer from end-stage renal diseases. Despite improvements in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive treatments, long-term graft survival remains a challenge. A large body of evidence documented that the complement cascade, a part of the innate immune system, plays a crucial role in the deleterious inflammatory reactions that occur during the transplantation process, such as brain or cardiac death of the donor and ischaemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, the complement system also modulates the responses of T cells and B cells to alloantigens, thus playing a crucial role in cellular as well as humoral responses to the allograft, which lead to damage to the transplanted kidney. Since several drugs that are capable of inhibiting complement activation at various stages of the complement cascade are emerging and being developed, we will discuss how these novel therapies could have potential applications in ameliorating outcomes in kidney transplantations by preventing the deleterious effects of ischaemia/reperfusion injury, modulating the adaptive immune response, and treating antibody-mediated rejection.
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Nemeth DV, Baldini E, Sorrenti S, D’Andrea V, Bellini MI. Cancer Metabolism and Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Two Sides of the Same Coin. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11175096. [PMID: 36079025 PMCID: PMC9457267 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11175096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are characterized by the reprogramming of certain cell metabolisms via activation of definite pathways and regulation of gene signaling. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is characterized by tissue damage and death following a lack of perfusion and oxygenation. It is most commonly seen in the setting of organ transplantation. Interestingly, the microenvironments seen in cancer and ischemic tissues are quite similar, especially due to the hypoxic state that occurs in both. As a consequence, there is genetic signaling involved in response to IRI that has common pathways with cancer. Some of these changes are seen across the board with many cancer cells and are known as Hallmarks of Cancer, among which are aerobic glycolysis and the induction of angiogenesis. This literature review aims to compare the metabolic pathways that are altered in cancer tissues and in normal tissues subjected to IRI in order to find common adaptive processes and to identify key pathways that could represent a therapeutic target in both pathologies. By increasing our understanding of this relationship, clinical correlations can be made and applied practically to improve outcomes of transplanted organs, given the known association with acute rejection, delayed graft function, and poor graft survival. The following metabolic pathways are discussed in our review, both in the setting of cancer and IRI: apoptosis, glycolysis, and angiogenesis. The role of the immune system in both pathologies as well as mitochondrial function and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise V. Nemeth
- School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX 78235, USA
| | - Enke Baldini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sorrenti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Vito D’Andrea
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (V.D.); (M.I.B.)
| | - Maria Irene Bellini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (V.D.); (M.I.B.)
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