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Steroid‐free three‐drug maintenance regimen for pancreas transplant alone: Comparison of induction with rabbit antithymocyte globulin +/− rituximab
Author(s) -
Fridell Jonathan A.,
Mangus Richard S.,
Chen Jeanne M.,
Taber Tim E.,
Cabrales Arianna E.,
Sharfuddin Asif A.,
Yaqub Muhammad S.,
Powelson John A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/ajt.14921
Subject(s) - medicine , rituximab , regimen , anti thymocyte globulin , globulin , immunology , pharmacology , lymphoma
Graft survival following pancreas transplant alone ( PTA ) is inferior to other pancreas transplants. Steroid elimination is appealing, but a two‐drug maintenance strategy may be inadequate. Additionally, recipients tend to have diabetic nephropathy and do not tolerate nephrotoxic medications. A three‐drug maintenance strategy permits immunosuppression through different mechanisms as well as an opportunity to use lower doses of the individual medications. Induction consisted of five doses of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (1 mg/kg/dose). As of October 2007, a single dose of rituximab (150 mg/m 2 ) was added. Maintenance consisted of tacrolimus, sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. From 2004 to 2017, 166 PTA were performed. Graft loss at 7 and 90 days were 4% and 5%, and 1‐year patient and graft survival were 97% and 91%. Comparing induction without and with rituximab, there was no significant difference in 7‐ or 90‐day graft loss, 1‐year patient or graft survival, or in the rate of rejection or infection. Rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction and steroid withdrawal followed by a three‐drug immunosuppression regimen is an excellent strategy for PTA recipients.