Efficacy of Combined Plasmapheresis and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Kidney Transplant Patients With Chronic Antibody-mediated Rejection.

INTRODUCTION: Antibody-mediated rejections (AMRs) are critical clinical issues encountered in short- and long-term follow-up of kidney transplant patients. Whereas plasmapheresis is a mainstay treatment option in acute AMR cases, there is a paucity of data regarding its efficacy in management of chronic AMR. This report describes our experience addressing this issue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the data of 7 kidney transplant patients diagnosed with chronic AMR who were on 5 sessions of plasmapheresis (1 to 2 volume exchanges with fresh frozen plasma) on alternate days and 200 mg/kg of intravenous immunoglobulin after each session of plasmapheresis.

RESULTS: At 6 months after the initiation of treatment, 6 patients experienced partially improved kidney function. One patient had no response and her kidney function progressively deteriorated.

CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results are encouraging for the combination of plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin as an adjunctive therapy for kidney transplant patients suffering from chronic AMR.