Highly Sensitized Simultaneous Liver-kidney Transplant Recipients Show a Reduction in Panel Reactive Antibodies and No Kidney Rejection 1-year Post-transplant
Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX
Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 1098
Keywords: Kidney/liver transplantation, Panel reactive antibodies, Rejection, Sensitization
Topic: Clinical Science » Liver » Liver: Immunosuppression and Rejection
Session Information
Session Name: Liver: Immunosuppression and Rejection
Session Type: Poster Abstract
Session Date & Time: None. Available on demand.
Location: Virtual
*Purpose: The liver is unique in that it is considered an immunologically tolerant organ against graft destruction by antibodies. Simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation (SLKT) are often performed under the assumption that the liver confers an immunologic protection to a kidney allograft. This study evaluated outcomes on pre-SLKT allosensitization in highly sensitized recipients.
*Methods: This single-center, retrospective study assessed SLKT recipients between January 2016 – June 2019. We defined high sensitization as panel reactive antibody (PRA) levels greater than 50%. Pre-existing and de novo donor specific antibodies (DSA) were trended 15 months post-transplant. Rejection rates, serum creatinine and patient survival within the first year post-transplant were assessed. Human leukocyte antigen testing was performed via single antigen beads with a 2,000 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) cut-off for positivity. No desensitizing strategies occurred pre- or post-SLKT.
*Results: Ten SLKT patients were highly sensitized and included in the analysis. A 71% class I and 56% class II average reduction in PRA was observed from baseline to 1-year post-transplant. Four patients had pre-existing DSAs, all of which cleared by three months post-SLKT. Five patients had de novo DSA formation, three of which had clearance and two with persistent DSAs. No biopsy-proven kidney rejections and 2 (20%) acute cellular liver rejections occurred. Graft and patient survival was 100% 1-year post-SLK.
*Conclusions: SLKT in highly sensitized recipients does not result in post-transplant kidney rejection at 1 year. Despite rejection in 20% of the liver allografts, no grafts were lost. A liver allograft may confer a protective benefit to a kidney allograft in sensitized SLKT recipients.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Moaddab M, Fong JVNolte, Mobley CM, Saharia A, Hobeika MJ, McMillan R, Yi SG, Knight RJ, Gaber A, Ghobrial R. Highly Sensitized Simultaneous Liver-kidney Transplant Recipients Show a Reduction in Panel Reactive Antibodies and No Kidney Rejection 1-year Post-transplant [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/highly-sensitized-simultaneous-liver-kidney-transplant-recipients-show-a-reduction-in-panel-reactive-antibodies-and-no-kidney-rejection-1-year-post-transplant/. Accessed December 13, 2024.« Back to 2021 American Transplant Congress