Proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has been used in the treatment of refractory cases of acute and chronic antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant recipients. However, its efficacy and safety as a primary treatment for early AMR has been scarcely investigated. We herein present our preliminary experience with bortezomib- and plasmapheresis-based primary treatment for early AMR. Thirteen patients transplanted between October 2015 and September 2019 were treated (starting at median 19th post-transplant day) with bortezomib/plasmapheresis protocol for early biopsy-proven AMR. Twelve out of thirteen patients received 4 doses and one patient recieved 3 doses of bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 per dose). In 11/13 patients, 4-7 concomitant plasmapheresis sessions were performed, with or without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Of note, rituximab was not used in all study patients. The kidney graft and patient survival were 100%. The mean 3-month estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 55.3 (95%CI: 44.9-65.8) mL/min/1.73m2, 8/13 patients completed 12-month follow-up with mean eGFR 60.4 (45.4-75.4) mL/min/1.73m2, and 6/13 patients completed a 24-month follow-up period with mean eGFR 73.9 (56.7-91.1) mL/min/1.73m2. Neutropenia < 1 G/L was observed in one patient, third or fourth grade thrombocytopenia in two patients, and eleven patients needed a blood transfusion (median: 2 units/patient). The mid-term results of a primary bortezomib-based treatment for kidney AMR showed its non-inferiority as compared to preceding regimens and acceptable safety. However, our data should be validated in a multicenter randomized trial.
Keywords: acute humoral rejection; first-line therapy; outcomes; proteasome inhibitor.