Alemtuzumab Reduces Risk of Early Rejection after Kidney Transplantation

n a randomized study of 852 adults scheduled to receive a kidney transplant, those who received an alemtuzumab-based treatment at the time of transplantation had a 58% reduced risk of acute rejection compared to those who received a basiliximab-based treatment. According to the Lancet study, there were no between-group differences in treatment effect on transplant failure or serious infection during the first 6 months after transplantation; however, 11 (3%) patients given alemtuzumab-based treatment and six (1%) patients given basiliximab-based treatment died. Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody against CD52 on mature lymphocytes. Basiliximab is a chimeric mouse-human monoclonal antibody against CD25 on T cells.