Background: Development of de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA) has detrimental effects on graft survival in several types of solid organ transplants. However, limited information exists about the effect of dnDSA on pancreas transplant graft survival.
Methods: We report our experience with pancreas recipients transplanted between January 01, 2005, and August 31, 2017.
Results: We identified 541 pancreas transplant recipients, of which 121 developed dnDSA and 420 did not. Thirty-two percent developed dnDSA against HLA class I antigens, 56% developed against class II antigens, and 12% developed against both. Fifty-two percent of the patients in the dnDSA+ and 24% in the dnDSA- group underwent pancreas biopsy, mainly due to a rise in pancreatic enzymes. Rejection was found in 42% of the dnDSA+ group, and 20% of the dnDSA- group(P < 0.001). There were 36% uncensored graft failures in the dnDSA+ group and 17% uncensored failures in the dnDSA- group (P < 0.001). A similar trend was seen in death-censored graft failure between the groups. In univariate Cox regression analyses, male sex, older age, and recipients of simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant were found to be protective for death-censored graft failure; multiple transplants, dnDSA, requirement for pancreas biopsy and presence of pancreas rejection were associated with increased risk of graft failure. In multivariate analysis, only older age and dnDSA were significantly associated with death-censored graft failure.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that dnDSA in pancreas transplant recipients are associated with increased rates of rejection and graft failure. Timely detection of dnDSA through regular screening and early treatment of pancreas rejection may ultimately improve graft outcomes.