Renal Transplantation
Conditions
Keywords
Kidney, Transplantation, Immunosuppression, Rituximab
Brief summary
Current strategies for the medical management of transplant patients are largely focused on the prevention and treatment of T-lymphocyte mediated processes. However there is an increasing evidence to suggest that B-lymphocytes have a role in the otherwise classic T-cell mediated rejection of transplants by there ability to act as antigen presenting cells and T-cell activators. Thus there is a significant medical need for effective therapies targeting B cells of transplant patients.One such potential therapy would be to use rituximab, a monoclonal antibody against B-cells in all renal transplant patients. In the present study the efficacy and safety of prophylactic rituximab is studied.
Interventions
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* Patients aged 18 years or above * Recipients of first or second renal transplants * Recipients of kidneys from living or cadaveric donors * Single organ recipients (kidney only) * Patients providing written informed consent * Patients cooperative and able to complete all the assessment procedures
Exclusion criteria
* Patients receiving other immunosuppressive therapy within the preceding 28 days * Recipients of HLA-identical sibling kidneys * Patients with flow-PRA \>50% within 6 months prior to enrolment * Recent history of malignancy * Active infection * Pregnant or lactating females * Women of childbearing potential not willing to use reliable form of contraception
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Composite endpoint of biopsyproven rejection, graft loss or death during the first 6 months following transplanation | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Renal function at 6 months | — |
| Incidence of infections | — |
| Incidence of rituximab-related adverse events | — |
| Incidence of malignancies | — |
Countries
Sweden