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Abstract
Introduction: Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG) has become the most widely used lymphocyte-depleting agent in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Its use in kidney transplantation for inducing immunosuppression and treating rejection has led to prolonged allograft and patient survival.
Areas covered: A MEDLINE search of the MeSH terms ‘thymoglobulin,’ ‘rabbit antithymocyte globulin,’ ‘renal transplantation,’ ‘kidney transplantation,’ ‘induction’ and ‘rejection’ was last conducted on 18 April 2014. Appropriate articles were selected, with priority given to randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, in order to summarize the current knowledge of the drug and discuss the clinical efficacy of thymoglobulin in the renal allograft.
Expert opinion: Rabbit ATG has been used successfully and relatively safely in renal transplantation for over 30 years. It has a durable and profound lymphocyte-depleting effect, offering superior outcomes for immunosuppression induction and for the treatment of acute cellular rejection.