Desensitization and Subsequent Kidney Transplantation of Patients Using Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIg)
Year: 2002
Type: article
Abstract: Transplantation of patients possessing antibodies against allo-HLA antigens can be delayed for years. We have shown that administration of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) can induce a profound and sustained decrease in the titers of anti-HLA antibodies. We report here the first series of patients desensitized, then transplanted using IVIg therapy. Fifteen patients have been included and treated with IVIg, given as 3 monthly courses of 2g/kg body weight. Thirteen of those 15 patients (87%) were effectively desensitized and underwent immediate transplantation. Eleven were transplanted with a cadaveric donor, and two with a living donor against which the pretreatment cross-match was positive. One graft was lost from thrombosis and one from rejection. All other patients had uneventful courses, without any episodes of rejection, with a follow-up of more than 1 year. Thus, IVIg therapy allows safe and prompt kidney transplantation of immunized patients.
Institutions: Inserm, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Hôpital Saint-Louis
Language: English
Subfield: Transplantation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,300
OpenAlex ID: W2007350320