Emerging role of Alemtuzumab in renal and renal–pancreas transplantation

Abstract

Background: Alemtuzumab is a humanized anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody that is increasingly used in solid organ transplantation. Objective: The novel mechanism by which alemtuzumab works was used to provide an understanding of its clinical efficacy and adverse effects. Methods: Human studies of alemtuzumab in adult renal and pancreas transplantation were reviewed. These studies looked at the role of alemtuzumab as a tolerogenic and induction agent as well as its role in the treatment of acute rejection. Results/conclusions: Overall, alemtuzumab induction resulted in patient and graft outcomes comparable to other induction strategies but studies failed to show development of true tolerance. Economic benefit is a major attraction for alemtuzumab use. Future studies will further identify the optimal use of alemtuzumab.

Keywords::

• acute rejection
• alemtuzumab
• induction
• pancreas transplantation
• renal transplantation
• tolerance

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