Obinutuzumab in Kidney Transplantation: Effect on B-cell Counts and Crossmatch Tests
1Misr International Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, 2Misr International Hospital, Caire, Egypt, 3CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France, 4Service de Néphrologie, CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 1032
Keywords: Antibodies, Kidney transplantation, Lymphocytes, Rejection
Topic: Clinical Science » Kidney » 36 - Kidney Immunosuppression: Desensitization
Session Information
Session Name: Kidney Immunosuppression: Desensitization
Session Type: Poster Abstract
Date: Sunday, June 5, 2022
Session Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Presentation Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Hynes Halls C & D
*Purpose: Resistance to the action of rituximab (RTX), has been documented in several diseases. More recently, obinutuzumab (OBZ) has shown promise where RTX has failed in oncology and lupus nephritis. Unlike RTX, OBZ is a weak activator of complement which may avoid the confusion caused by false- positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) crossmatch tests after RTX infusions.
*Methods: The aim of this study is to explore the effect of OBZ on B-cell depletion in kidney transplant candidates and its impact on cross match test results. We included 12 patients: they were either highly-sensitized kidney-transplant candidates or kidney-transplant recipients presenting with pre-formed donor specific antibodies, or antibody mediated rejection. Six received OBZ and 6 received RTX. CD-19 counts, flow cross match and CDC crossmatch tests were run immediately before and 2 weeks after the study drug infusion.
*Results: OBZ reduced CD-19 counts; median reduction 98%. B-cell CDC crossmatch test results became positive following RTX infusion but were not affected by OBZ infusion.
*Conclusions: OBZ effectively depletes B-cell counts in sensitized kidney transplant candidates and, unlike RTX, has no effect on CDC crossmatch results.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Nasrallah MM, Elalfy M, Elmesseery Y, Amer I, Malvezzi P, Rostaing L. Obinutuzumab in Kidney Transplantation: Effect on B-cell Counts and Crossmatch Tests [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/obinutuzumab-in-kidney-transplantation-effect-on-b-cell-counts-and-crossmatch-tests/. Accessed May 18, 2025.« Back to 2022 American Transplant Congress