High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab treatment for antibody-mediated rejection after kidney transplantation: a cost analysis

Transplant Proc. 2008 Dec;40(10):3393-6. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.08.131.

Abstract

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) generally occurs in highly sensitized patients. A pilot study was performed on 7 consecutive patients with AMR to assess the efficacy of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG; 2 g/kg) + rituximab (RTX; 375 mg/m(2)) without plasmapheresis. After a 24-month follow-up, 1- and 2-year allograft survivals were 86% and 58%, respectively. C4d became negative in 1 patient posttreatment. Donor-specific antibody (DSA) titers decreased to less than 1:4 in 2 cases. There were 4 infectious complications and 1 case of aseptic meningitis followed by cranial nerve VI palsy. The average hospital charge for 1 administration of IVIG + RTX, including hospital stay and renal biopsy expenses, was approximately $49,000. A combination of IVIG + RTX in late AMR may be beneficial but is an expensive treatment approach for selected renal transplant patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / economics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Biopsy
  • Cost of Illness
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Rejection / drug therapy*
  • Graft Rejection / economics
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / economics
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / economics
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Isoantibodies / blood
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*
  • Kidney Transplantation / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rituximab
  • Texas
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Isoantibodies
  • Rituximab
  • Creatinine