Polyclonal versus monoclonal rejection prophylaxis after heart transplantation: a randomised study

Autor: W. Weimar, R. M. L. Brouwer, Maarten L. Simoons, B. Mochtar, Eelke M. Bos, K. Meeter, Pieter E. Zondervan, A. H. M. M. Balk
Rok vydání: 1992
Předmět:
Zdroj: Transplant International Official Journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation ISBN: 9783540553427
Popis: Recent studies comparing the effects of induction therapy with polyclonal antilymphocyte globulins (ALG) or with monoclonal T-cell-specific antibodies are not unanimous. Therefore, 55 heart recipients were allocated to either 7-day courses of polyclonal ALG (n = 28) or of monoclonal OKT3 (n = 27). Additionally, azathioprine and low dose steroids were given. There were no severe side effects after OKT3; the course of ALG, however, had to be discontinued in 20 patients because of extensive flares. No differences between the two groups were found in freedom from rejection or in the incidence of infection. The 1- and 2-year survival was 96% in both groups. Although monoclonal and polyclonal induction therapies are equally effective for rejection prophylaxis, OKT3 may be preferred because of a lack of important side effects. However, the fact that a shorter course of ALG is equally effective may be in favour of ALG.
Databáze: OpenAIRE