Late humoral rejection in a cardiac transplant recipient treated with the anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody Rituximab
Publication Details
Keren, A., Hayes, H. M., & O'Driscoll, G. (2006). Late humoral rejection in a cardiac transplant recipient treated with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab. Transplantation Proceedings, 38(5), 1520-1522. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2006.03.024
Abstract
Humoral or vascular rejection results from a B cell-mediated production of immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody against a transplanted organ, producing immune complex deposition on the vascular endothelium, activation of the complement cascade, generation of endothelial dysfunction, and regional ischemic injury. Antibody-mediated rejection, which may be accompanied by hemodynamic compromise, is associated with reduced long-term graft survival.1 Patients believed to be at an increased risk of developing humoral rejection include women,2 particularly those with high levels of panel reactive antibodies,3 cytomegalovirus seropositivity,4 and 5 and positive cross matches,3 and 6 and subjects with prior sensitization to OKT3.7 Treatment options for humoral rejection include plasmapheresis to lower the circulating immunoglobulin levels followed by high-dose cyclophosphamide to reduce the B-cell population. Other modalities include total lymphoid irradiation, photophoresis, splenectomy, and, for treatment failures, retransplantation.8 Rituximab is a chimeric humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the pan B-cell surface molecule, CD20. It is approved for the treatment of low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It has also been used successfully for the treatment of posttransplant B-cell lymphoproliferative disease.9 We report a case of late humoral rejection successfully treated with rituximab.
