Effects of A Standardized Treatment Approach on Kidney Transplant Recipients With Antibody-Mediated Rejection

Effects of A Standardized Treatment Approach Comprising Plasma Exchange, Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Rituximab on Kidney Transplant Recipients With Acute or Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection

Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is one of the leading causes of graft loss in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Although it is a well characterized entity, there is limited data regarding effective treatment options for preserving graft functions. Moreover, results from different studies have been contradictory. Therefore, we conducted a study using our registry data to evaluate the effects of a standardized treatment approach consisting of therapeutic plasma exchange (regular plasmapheresis, double filtration plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption), intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab on KTRs with acute or chronic ABMR.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a kidney transplant recipient with biopsy-proven acute or chronic antibody-mediated rejection who were treated using 6 sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange, 2 g/kg of intravenous immunoglobulin and 1-2 weekly doses of 375 mg/m2 rituximab.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not providing or withdrawing consent.