Comparison of ATG to Thymoglobuline in Renal Transplantation

An Open, Multicenter, Randomised, Parallel Group Pilot Study to Investigate Two Different Polyclonal Rabbit Immunoglobulin Preparations for Safety and Efficacy:A Comparison of ATG-Fresenius S to Thymoglobulin in Prophylaxis for Immunological High Risk Patients Following Renal Transplantation

An open, multicenter, randomised, parallel group pilot study to investigate two different polyclonal rabbit immunoglobulin preparations for safety and efficacy: A comparison of ATG-Fresenius S to Thymoglobulin in prophylaxis for immunological high risk patients following renal transplantation. This non-inferiority trial shall demonstrate that ATG-Fresenius S is as efficacious as Thymoglobulin but has a better tolerance and fewer side effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Recipients, who are at least 18 years or older and have a high immunological risk defined by:

   The presence of at least one donor-specific antibody (class I and/or II) detected and specified by flow-technology (FlowPRA and single antigen beads), which are

   • For class I below the threshold of detection of a current CDC T-cell-/ and B-cell cross-match
   • For class II below the threshold of detection of a current CDC B-cell cross-match.

2. Patient receives a renal allograft only.

3. Female patients of child bearing age agree to maintain effective birth control practice during the study.

4. Patient has been fully informed and has given written or independent person witnessed oral informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Patient has a low immunological risk constellation, defined by receiving a kidney from a HLA-identical related living donor.
3. Patient and donor have a positive T-cell crossmatch.
4. Patient and donor are ABO incompatible.
5. Patient with combined transplantation.
6. Age of donor >75 years.
7. Cold ischemia time >40 hours.
8. Patient has leucopenia, defined as having at transplantation less than 3000/mm3 leukocytes.
9. Patient has thrombocytopenia, defined as having at transplantation less than 75000/mm3 thrombocytes.
10. Patient is allergic or intolerant to ATG-Fresenius S, Thymoglobulin, steroids, Tacrolimus or MMF.
11. EBV risk constellation (recipient EBV negative and donor EBV positive).
12. Patient or donor is known to be HIV positive.
13. Patient has a liver disease, defined as continuously having ASAT (SGOT) and/or ALAT (SGPT) levels greater than 3fold of the upper value of the normal range of the investigational site during the past 28 days.
14. Patient with malignancy or history of malignancy <2 years, except non metastatic basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has been treated successfully.
15. Patient has uncontrolled concomitant infections and/or severe diarrhea, vomiting, or active peptic ulcer.
16. Patient is unlikely to comply with the visits schedule in the protocol.