Alemtuzumab in kidney-transplant recipients.

摘要

to the editor: Hanaway et al. (May 19 issue)1 report the 3-year results of a randomized clinical trial comparing alemtuzumab with conventional induction therapy in kidney-transplant recipients undergoing early glucocorticoid withdrawal. The authors conclude that alemtuzumab induction is superior to conventional immunosuppression for the prevention of acute rejection in the first year. Although this finding is statistically correct, the statement should be interpreted with caution when one considers what constitutes conventional immunosuppression in patients with early glucocorticoid withdrawal. Two previous studies reported that the use of basiliximab resulted in higher rates of acute rejection than did the use of antithymocyte globulin in kidney-transplant recipients with or without early glucocorticoid withdrawal.