ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

“Desens Light”: Single Center Experience Using Rituximab for High Immunologic Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients with Historic DSA

A. Casillas-Abundis, A. Tambur, A. Shetty, C. D'Agostino, J. R. Leventhal

Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL

Meeting: 2019 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: B184

Keywords: Efficacy, Highly-sensitized, Histocompatibility, HLA antibodies

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session B: Kidney Immunosuppression: Desensitization

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Sunday, June 2, 2019

Session Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

 Presentation Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Location: Hall C & D

*Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of rituximab as induction therapy for pts undergoing kidney transplant (Tx) with historic DSA (hDSA) [Desens. Light].

*Methods: 104 consecutive pts that were transplanted across hDSA and received one dose of rituximab as induction were included [mean follow-up of 4.3y (±2), 94% had biopsies, 86% received CNI-based immunosuppression (Tac+MMF). General characteristics, Table 1]. Clinical information was obtained from the medical record; biopsies and graft failure were evaluated for each pt. Historic, recurrence of, and de novo DSA were classified as weak (w, 1:2-1:4 titer), weak/moderate (w/m, 1:8-1:16), moderate (1:32-1:128) or strong (>1:128). Cox regression analyses were used to determine the association of pre-Tx DSA with post-Tx DSA and clinical outcomes.

*Results: This cohort displayed 20 (19%) pts with biopsy proven TCMR and 14 (13%) with ABMR.Recurrence of hDSA Class I was found in 29 pts, 22 for Class II. At least one de novo DSA Class I was detected in 23 pts, and Class II in 20 pts.Peak strength of the historical DSA was used as basis for the following correlations. Univariate analysis of both class I and class II antibodies demonstrated that pts with hDSA w/m have a higher rate of recurrence compared with hDSA w (p=0.033). Importantly, when analyzed per class of antibodies, historical w/m class II DSA showed increase significance (p=0.011), which class I hDSA were no longer associated with DSA recurrence. Risk analysis demonstrated that pts with hDSA w/m have a higher risk of recurrence than those with DSAw only, in spite of the rituximab dose (p=0.003, Figure 1). Subsequent analysis indicated also a higher risk of de novo DSA in the hDSA w/m group (p=0.014).

*Conclusions: Our data suggest that the effectiveness of rituximab to prevent recurrence of antibodies is dependent on the original antibody strength. Therefore, the strength of the hDSA, especially Class II, can serve to risk stratify pts to those that may benefit from rituximab and those that may require additional treatment.

 border=

 border=

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Casillas-Abundis A, Tambur A, Shetty A, D'Agostino C, Leventhal JR. “Desens Light”: Single Center Experience Using Rituximab for High Immunologic Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients with Historic DSA [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2019; 19 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/desens-light-single-center-experience-using-rituximab-for-high-immunologic-risk-kidney-transplant-recipients-with-historic-dsa/. Accessed May 31, 2025.

« Back to 2019 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences