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

Immunosuppression in Uterine Transplant Recipients: Experience from the Largest Uterine Transplant Program

N. Wilson, R. Patel, L. Johannesson, G. Testa, T. Sam

Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX

Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 6

Keywords: Immunosuppression

Topic: Basic & Clinical Science » VCA

Session Information

Session Name: VCA: Basic and Clinical

Session Type: Rapid Fire Oral Abstract

Date: Saturday, June 5, 2021

Session Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm

 Presentation Time: 4:35pm-4:40pm

Location: Virtual

*Purpose: Uterus transplantation (UT) is an emerging treatment in the field of total uterine infertility. There is no consensus on the optimal immunosuppression regimen in UT recipients.

*Methods: Of the 20 UT recipients at this center, 6 were excluded due to graft removal prior to 30 days. Ectocervial biopsies (ECB) were collected at pre-determined timepoints to assess for rejection. ECB were scored as: negative, borderline, grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3 for ACR. Rejection was defined as grade 2 or higher. First line treatment for rejection was pulse corticosteroids over 3 days with a total methylprednisolone dose of 2.5g IV.

*Results: Duration of immunosuppression at the time of last follow up is 1.5 years (median, IQR 1.2 – 2.1). Nine of the 14 included UT recipients have undergone graft explant post-delivery. Demographics, immunosuppression, and other outcomes are detailed in Table 1. All received induction with rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) 4.5 mg/kg based on ideal body weight (IBW), with the exception of one patient induced with rATG 3 mg/kg who later developed rejection. LCPT-tacrolimus (Envarsus XR) was used in 93% of patients. Four patients discharged on mycophenolate and were converted to azathioprine (AZA, dosed at 1mg/kg daily) prior to pregnancy. One patient received a combination of tacrolimus and everolimus, which was switched to AZA 10 months post-UT. All rejections were subclinical and discovered on protocol ECB. All rejections responded to pulse corticosteroids except one, which required rATG. Only one rejection occurred during pregnancy. No rejections were noted to cause miscarriage or graft failure. Donor specific antibody (DSA) incidence was low and only seen in the rejection group.

*Conclusions: In UT recipients, an immunosuppression regimen of rATG 4.5 mg/kg (IBW) paired with dual maintenance therapy TAC (troughs of approx. 5-8 ng/mL) and AZA 1 mg/kg resulted in excellent live birth rates. All rejections were asymptomatic and did not affect patient or graft survival, or live birth rate. Despite pregnancy being an immunologically sensitizing event, DSA occurrence was infrequent. This study represents a description of IS and rejection treatment of the largest cohort of UT recipients.

 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:

Wilson N, Patel R, Johannesson L, Testa G, Sam T. Immunosuppression in Uterine Transplant Recipients: Experience from the Largest Uterine Transplant Program [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/immunosuppression-in-uterine-transplant-recipients-experience-from-the-largest-uterine-transplant-program/. Accessed May 16, 2025.

« Back to 2021 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