Eculizumab treatment of acute antibody-mediated rejection in renal transplantation: case reports

Transplant Proc. 2012 Nov;44(9):2690-4. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2012.09.038.

Abstract

The occurrence of acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), especially in more severe cases, continues to be associated with a poor prognosis for implant survival. Here, we have reported the results of treatment of two patients who developed AMR associated with thrombotic microangiopathy immediately after transplantation. We used a single dose of eculizumab at an early stage jointly with conventional modalities of steroid boluses, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab. In both cases, the clinical course was favorable. Eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody with a high affinity for complement protein C5, prevents generation of the final membrane attack complex, blocking this cascade. To date, there are a few reports of the usefulness of eculizumab in AMR. Eculizumab can help to stop endothelial damage, especially in severe cases that show a risk of progression to cortical necrosis, by providing a therapeutic window until the other modalities begin to control the immune response. In our experience, the use of eculizumab can be beneficial in the treatment of AMR.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / drug therapy*
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Survival / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral / drug effects*
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Rituximab
  • Steroids / therapeutic use
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / immunology
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / therapy
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Steroids
  • Rituximab
  • eculizumab