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Santos E, Spensley K, Gunby N, Clarke C, Anand A, Roufosse C, Willicombe M. Steroid Sparing Maintenance Immunosuppression in Highly Sensitised Patients Receiving Alemtuzumab Induction. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11056. [PMID: 37334011 PMCID: PMC10272412 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
This analysis reports on the outcomes of two different steroid sparing immunosuppression protocols used in the management of 120 highly sensitised patients (HSPs) with cRF>85% receiving Alemtuzumab induction, 53 maintained on tacrolimus (FK) monotherapy and 67 tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil (FK + MMF). There was no difference in the median cRF or mode of sensitisation between the two groups, although the FK + MMF cohort received more poorly matched grafts. There was no difference in one-year patient or allograft survival, however rejection free survival was inferior with FK monotherapy compared with FK + MMF at 65.4% and 91.4% respectively, p < 0.01. DSA-free survival was comparable. Whilst there was no difference in rates of BK between the cohorts, CMV-free survival was inferior in the FK + MMF group at 86.0% compared with 98.1% in the FK group, p = 0.026. One-year post-transplant diabetes free survival was 89.6% and 100.0% in the FK and FK + MMF group respectively, p = 0.027, the difference attributed to the use of prednisolone to treat rejection in the FK cohort, p = 0.006. We report good outcomes in HSPs utilising a steroid sparing protocol with Alemtuzumab induction and FK + MMF maintenance and provide granular data on immunological and infectious complications to inform steroid avoidance in these patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Santos
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Northwest London Pathology NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina Spensley
- Imperial College Renal and Transplant Centre, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Gunby
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Northwest London Pathology NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Candice Clarke
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arthi Anand
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Northwest London Pathology NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Candice Roufosse
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Histopathology, Northwest London Pathology NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Willicombe
- Imperial College Renal and Transplant Centre, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
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Sethi S, Jordan SC. Novel therapies for treatment of antibody-mediated rejection of the kidney. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2023; 28:29-35. [PMID: 36579683 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000001037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We aim to discuss current literature on novel therapies for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplantation with a focus on chronic AMR. RECENT FINDINGS IL-6/IL-6 receptor blockers appear promising in the treatment of chronic AMR. Blocking this pathway was shown to reduce human leucocyte antigen-antibodies, improve histologic inflammation and increase T-regulatory cells. Based on experience in desensitization, IgG degrading endopeptidase, imlifidase, could be effective in AMR. There have been case reports describing the successful use of plasma cell/natural killer-cell-directed anti-CD38 antibody in the treatment of AMR. Off-target effects have been noted and strategies to mitigate these will be needed when using these agents. Complement inhibitors could be an effective add-on strategy to antibody-depleting therapies but their role in AMR needs to be better defined. Combining proteasome inhibitors and costimulation blockers has shown encouraging results in the prevention of AMR in animal models and is now being investigated in humans. Other novel strategies such as Fc neonatal receptor blockers which inhibit the recycling of pathogenic IgG and bispecific antibodies against B-cell maturation antigen/CD3+ T cells warrant further investigation. SUMMARY There are now a number of emerging therapies with varied targets and mechanism(s) of action that hold promise in the management of AMR and improving allograft survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supreet Sethi
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Weinreich I, Bengtsson M, Lauronen J, Naper C, Lokk K, Helanterä I, Andrésdóttir MB, Sørensen SS, Wennberg L, Reisaeter AV, Møller B, Koefoed-Nielsen P. Scandiatransplant acceptable mismatch program-10 years with an effective strategy for transplanting highly sensitized patients. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:2869-2879. [PMID: 36030513 PMCID: PMC10087587 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In March 2009, the Scandiatransplant acceptable mismatch program (STAMP) was introduced as a strategy toward improving kidney allocation to highly sensitized patients. Patients with a transplantability score ≤ 2% are potential candidates for the program. Samples are analyzed and acceptable antigens (HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DRB3/4/5, DQB1, DQA1, DPB1, DPA1) are defined by the local tissue typing laboratory and finally evaluated by a steering committee. In the matching algorithm, patients have the highest priority when the donor's antigens are all among the recipient's own or acceptable HLA antigens. In the period from 2009 to 2020, we have transplanted 278 highly sensitized kidney patients through the program. The graft survival of the STAMP patients was compared with 9002 deceased donor kidney-transplanted patients, transplanted in the same time period. The 10-year graft survival was 73.4% (95% CI: 60.3-90.0) for STAMP and 82.9% (95% CI: 81.6-84.3) for the reference group. (p = .2). In conclusion, the 10-year allograft survival demonstrates that the STAMP allocation algorithm is immunological safe. The program is continuously monitored and evaluated, and the introduction of matching for all HLA loci is a huge improvement to the program and demonstrate technical adaptability as well as clinical flexibility in a de-centralized organization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mats Bengtsson
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Christian Naper
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kaie Lokk
- Tartu University Hospital, Tissue Typing Laboratory, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ilkka Helanterä
- Helsinki University Hospital, Transplantation and Liver Surgery, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Lars Wennberg
- Department of Transplantation Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Varberg Reisaeter
- Department of Transplantation Medicine, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjarne Møller
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Chow KM, Maggiore U, Dor FJ. Ethical Issues in Kidney Transplant and Donation During COVID-19 Pandemic. Semin Nephrol 2022; 42:151272. [PMID: 36577645 PMCID: PMC9283694 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus has faced the transplant community with unprecedented clinical challenges in a highly vulnerable patient category. These were associated with many uncertainties for patients and health care professionals and prompted many ethical debates regarding the safe delivery of kidney transplantation. In this article, we highlight some of the most important ethical questions that were raised during the pandemic and attempt to analyze ethical arguments in light of core principles of medical ethics to either suspend or continue kidney transplantation, and to mandate vaccination in transplant patients, transplant candidates, and, finally, health care providers. We have come up with frameworks to deal responsibly with these ethical challenges, and formulated recommendations to cope with the issues imposed on patients and transplant professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Ming Chow
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Umberto Maggiore
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, Unita’ Operativa Nefrologia, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Frank J.M.F. Dor
- Imperial College Renal and Transplant Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom,Address reprint requests to Frank J.M.F. Dor, MD, PhD, FEBS(Hon), FRCS, Imperial College Renal and Transplant Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, Office 468, Hammersmith House, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W120HS London, United Kingdom
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Kjellman C, Maldonado AQ, Sjöholm K, Lonze BE, Montgomery RA, Runström A, Lorant T, Desai NM, Legendre C, Lundgren T, von Zur Mühlen B, Vo AA, Olsson H, Jordan SC. Outcomes at 3 years posttransplant in imlifidase-desensitized kidney transplant patients. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:3907-3918. [PMID: 34236770 PMCID: PMC9290474 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Imlifidase is a cysteine proteinase which specifically cleaves IgG, inhibiting Fc-mediated effector function within hours of administration. Imlifidase converts a positive crossmatch to a potential donor (T cell, B cell, or both), to negative, enabling transplantation to occur between previously HLA incompatible donor-recipient pairs. To date, 39 crossmatch positive patients received imlifidase prior to a kidney transplant in four single-arm, open-label, phase 2 studies. At 3 years, for patients who were AMR+ compared to AMR-, death-censored allograft survival was 93% vs 77%, patient survival was 85% vs 94%, and mean eGFR was 49 ml/min/1.73 m2 vs 61 ml/min/1.73 m2 , respectively. The incidence of AMR was 38% with most episodes occurring within the first month post-transplantation. Sub-analysis of patients deemed highly sensitized with cPRA ≥ 99.9%, and unlikely to be transplanted who received crossmatch-positive, deceased donor transplants had similar rates of patient survival, graft survival, and eGFR but a higher rate of AMR. These data demonstrate that outcomes and safety up to 3 years in recipients of imlifidase-enabled allografts is comparable to outcomes in other highly sensitized patients undergoing HLA-incompatible transplantation. Thus, imlifidase is a potent option to facilitate transplantation among patients who have a significant immunologic barrier to successful kidney transplantation. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02790437), EudraCT Number: 2016-002064-13.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tomas Lorant
- Department of Surgical SciencesUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | | | | | - Torbjörn Lundgren
- Department of Transplantation SurgeryKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Ashley A. Vo
- Cedars‐Sinai Medical CenterComprehensive Transplant CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Stanley C. Jordan
- Cedars‐Sinai Medical CenterComprehensive Transplant CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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Heidt S, Haasnoot GW, van der Linden-van Oevelen MJH, Claas FHJ. Highly Sensitized Patients Are Well Served by Receiving a Compatible Organ Offer Based on Acceptable Mismatches. Front Immunol 2021; 12:687254. [PMID: 34248971 PMCID: PMC8267476 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.687254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly sensitized kidney patients accrue on the transplant waiting list due to their broad immunization against non-self Human Leucocyte Antigens (HLA). Although challenging, the best option for highly sensitized patients is transplantation with a crossmatch negative donor without any additional therapeutic intervention. The Eurotransplant Acceptable Mismatch (AM) program was initiated more than 30 years ago with the intention to increase the chance for highly sensitized patients to be transplanted with such a compatible donor. The AM program allows for enhanced transplantation to this difficult to transplant patient group by allocating deceased donor kidneys on the basis of a match with the recipient’s own HLA antigens in combination with predefined acceptable antigens. Acceptable antigens are those HLA antigens towards which the patients has never formed antibodies, as determined by extensive laboratory testing. By using this extended HLA phenotype for allocation and giving priority whenever a compatible donor organ becomes available, organ offers are made for roughly 80% of patients in this program. Up till now, more than 1700 highly sensitized patients have been transplanted through the AM program. Recent studies have shown that the concept of acceptable mismatches being truly immunologically acceptable holds true for both rejection rates and long-term graft survival. Patients that were transplanted through the AM program had a similar rejection incidence and long-term graft survival rates identical to non-sensitized patients transplanted through regular allocation. However, a subset of patients included in the AM program does not receive an organ offer within a reasonable time frame. As these are often patients with a rare HLA phenotype in comparison to the Eurotransplant donor population, extension of the donor pool for these specific patients through further European collaboration would significantly increase their chances of being transplanted. For those patients that will not benefit from such strategy, desensitization is the ultimate solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiaan Heidt
- Eurotransplant Reference Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Geert W Haasnoot
- Eurotransplant Reference Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Frans H J Claas
- Eurotransplant Reference Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Melk A, Schmidt BMW, Geyer S, Epping J. Sex disparities in dialysis initiation, access to waitlist, transplantation and transplant outcome in German patients with renal disease-A population based analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241556. [PMID: 33180815 PMCID: PMC7660568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Renal transplantation access and outcome differ between men and women, but no analysis has considered all transition phases and transplant outcome using the same data set. We analyzed sex disparities in all phases of patients’ clinical path (progression to dialysis, waitlisting, transplantation, graft failure/death). Methods In a population based approach using health insurance data (2005–2013) we examined patients’ risk of changing from one phase to another applying Cox Proportional Hazards model. Results After adjusting for age and comorbidities, women had a 16% lower risk of progression to ESRD (HR/95%-CI: 0.84/0.79–0.88). Access to the waitlist was lowered by 18% in women compared to men (HR/95%-CI: 0.82/0.70–0.96). An age stratified analysis did not reveal differences in any age group. Once waitlisted, the chance to receive a transplant was identical (HR/95%-CI: 0.96/0.81–1.15). The risk of transplant failure/death was identical for both sexes (HR/95%-CI: 0.99/0.73–1.35), but the effect was modified by age: in younger women (18–45 years) the risk was twice as high compared to men (HR/95%-CI: 2.08/1.04–4.14), whereas the risk in elderly women (> 65 years) was only half the risk of men (HR/95%-CI: 0.47/0.24–0.93). Conclusion Sex disparities occurred at different steps in the history of patients with renal disease and affected progression to dialysis, waitlisting and transplantation outcome in a population with equal access to medical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette Melk
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Siegfried Geyer
- Department of Medical Sociology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jelena Epping
- Department of Medical Sociology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Jackson KR, Chen J, Kraus E, Desai N, Segev DL, Alachkar N. Outcomes of cPRA 100% deceased donor kidney transplant recipients under the new Kidney Allocation System: A single-center cohort study. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:2890-2898. [PMID: 32342630 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In light of changes in donor/recipient case-mix and increased cold ischemia times under the Kidney Allocation System (KAS), there is some concern that cPRA 100% recipients might be doing poorly under KAS. We used granular, single-center data on 109 cPRA 100% deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT) recipients to study post-KAS posttransplant outcomes not readily available in national registry data. We found that 3-year patient (96.4%) and death-censored graft survival (96.8%) was excellent. We also found that cPRA 100% recipients had a relatively low incidence of T cell-mediated rejection (9.2%) and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) (13.8%). T cell-mediated rejection episodes tended to be relatively mild-50% (5 episodes) were grade 1, 50% (5 episodes) were grade 2, and none were grade 3. Only 1 episode was associated with graft loss, but this was in the context of a mixed rejection. Although only 15 recipients (13.8%) developed an AMR episode, 2 of these were associated with a graft loss. Despite the rejection episodes, the vast majority of recipients had excellent graft function 3 years posttransplant (median serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dL). In conclusion, cPRA 100% DDKT recipients are doing well under KAS, although every effort should be made to prevent AMR to ensure long-term outcomes remain excellent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle R Jackson
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer Chen
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Edward Kraus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Niraj Desai
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Dorry L Segev
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nada Alachkar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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