Variable Outcomes of Recurrent Autoimmune Diabetes Post Pancreas Transplant Treated with Rituximab
Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Meeting: 2019 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: D288
Keywords: Autoimmunity, CD20, Pancreas transplantation, Survival
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session D: Pancreas and Islet: All Topics
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Session Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Presentation Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Hall C & D
*Purpose: Demonstrate the outcomes of treatment with rituximab in patients with autoimmune diabetes after pancreas transplant.
*Methods: We present the treatment response to rituximab in 3 simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant (SPK) patients who developed autoantibodies and hyperglycemia. All the patients received induction with anti-thymocyte globulin 6 mg/kg, maintenance immunosuppression with tacrolimus (Tac), mycophenolate (MPA) and prednisone (P). Patient 2 had MPA discontinued due to significant GI side effects. Amylase and lipase levels were normal and there were no new donor specific antibodies (DSA). A clinical diagnosis (hyperglycemia and de novo autoantibodies) of autoimmune diabetes was made in all cases as biopsies were contraindicated. Treatment consisted of high dose IV methyl prednisolone (total of 1-1.5gm over course of 3 days) with oral prednisone taper and 2 doses of rituximab 375mg/m2 on day 0 and 15.
*Results: Patients 1 and 2 had a transient response to rituximab with improvement in their blood glucose levels. Over the course of 4-6 months after rituximab they developed worsening hyperglycemia and required insulin. Patient 3 improved and did not require insulin. All the patients had stable exocrine pancreas and stable renal allograft function. 1/3 patients responded to 2 doses of rituximab with improvement in their blood glucose levels and long term insulin free survival.
*Conclusions: Recurrent autoimmune diabetes after pancreas transplant is a less well recognized cause of pancreas allograft loss. Onset can be delayed and could occur despite appropriate levels of immunosuppression. Pancreatic autoantibodies that are frequently checked include anti-insulin, anti-islet cell, and anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). The impact of this condition on long-term pancreas graft survival is unknown and optimal therapy is unknown. Further studies are required to determine the optimal dose and duration of rituximab, which could be a potential treatment option for such patients.
Patient | Demographics | HLA mismatch A/B/DR | C-petide | HbA1C | GAD | Anti islet cell Ab | Allograft outcome |
1 | 38 y/o white female | 2/2/1 | 1.6 | 6.3 | 0.21 | 0.03 | Failure |
2 | 41 y/o white male | 0/1/0 | 4.0 | 8.9 | 0.04 | 0.12 | Failure |
3 | 44 y/o white male | 1/2/2 | 1.68 | 8.9 | 0 | 0.4 | Stable |
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Venkatachalam K, Markwardt A, Heady B, Alhamad T, Malone A. Variable Outcomes of Recurrent Autoimmune Diabetes Post Pancreas Transplant Treated with Rituximab [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2019; 19 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/variable-outcomes-of-recurrent-autoimmune-diabetes-post-pancreas-transplant-treated-with-rituximab/. Accessed November 22, 2024.« Back to 2019 American Transplant Congress