Abstract
The critical shortage of available donor organs is the major limit to current allogeneic transplantation. Xenografting has the potential to overcome this difficult problem. Suppressing the vigorous rejection response remains a major obstacle to the clinical application of xenografting. 15-Deoxyspergiialin (DOSP), a potent new immunosuppressive agent has been shown to be effective in allogeneic and xenogeneic experimental models. This study tests DOSP in combination with rabbit anlithymocyte globulin (RA TG) in the hamster-to-rat cardiac xenograft. Results show that combination therapy with DOSP/RA TG was superior to treatment with either agent alone (p > 05). Optimal graft prolongation (20.9 days versus control of 3.1 days, p >. 05) was achieved with combination therapy of RATG and DOSP 2.5 mg/kg day by continuous infusion.