Background There is limited information on treatment strategies and monitoring strategies for late antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) after kidney transplantation. Methods In this observational and nonrandomized study, we compared 78 patients… Click to show full abstract
Background There is limited information on treatment strategies and monitoring strategies for late antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) after kidney transplantation. Methods In this observational and nonrandomized study, we compared 78 patients diagnosed with late ABMR (>3 months after transplant) who were treated with standard of care steroids/IVIG (n = 38) ± rituximab (n = 40) at our center between March 1, 2013 and December 31, 2016. All patients had follow-up biopsy and donor-specific antibodies (DSA) monitoring within 3 to 12 weeks. Results Patients had biopsy 7.3 ± 7 years after transplant and were followed for 15.9 ± 9.6 months after ABMR was diagnosed. Both treatment strategies were associated with a significant decline in DSA, microvascular inflammation (peritubular capillaritis + glomerulitis), and C4d Banff scores. In univariate regression analyses, rituximab, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), Banff i, t, v, chronicity (interstitial fibrosis + tubular atrophy + fibrous intimal thickening + allograft glomerulopathy) scores on the first biopsy, and eGFR and Banff v score on follow-up biopsy were associated with graft loss. Multivariate analyses retained only rituximab (hazard ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.84; P = 0.03) and eGFR at follow-up biopsy (0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.92; P < 0.001) as significant predictors of graft loss. Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrated that the benefit associated with rituximab was apparent after 1 year (15% vs 32% graft loss, P = 0.02). Conclusion Treatment of late ABMR with steroids/IVIG ± rituximab was effective in reducing DSA and microcirculation inflammation. The addition of rituximab was associated with better graft survival. Follow-up biopsies could be considered in the management of acute rejection to monitor the effect of therapy. Randomized studies on the best therapeutic options for ABMR are needed.
               
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