Application of Rituxnab in antibody-mediated rejection among renal transplantation recipients

Objective To observe the indication, safety and efficacy of a new immunosuppressant Rituximab in kidney transplantation. Methods Five patients, who were diagnosed as antibody mediated rejection (AMR) from December 2010 to June 2011, were treated with single dose of Rituximab (500 mg) and followed up for 6 months. The clinical data, such as age, gender, onset of illness, induction therapy, maintaining therapy, allograft function, change of PRA, opportunistic infection and other complications were collected and retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Rituximab used in AMR patients. Results After Rituximab therapy, all the patients had improved renal function measured by sera creatinine level: 4 cases retumed to normal, and 1 keep stable. Series of allograft biopsy demonstrated obviously reduced C4d deposition in nephridial tissue after treatment. One patient developed CMV viremia, another had urinary infection, but no one had lifethreatening infection during the follow-up period. The survival rate of human and allograft was both 100 ％. Conclusion Rituximab has a good efficacy and safety in treatment of AMR after renal transplantation. Key words: Kidney transplantation;  Graft rejection;  Antibodies;  Rituximab