Daclizumab in the induction phase of immunosuppression in heart transplant recipients

Abstract

Objectives: Acute rejection episodes negatively effect both short-term survival and development of graft vasculopathy.

Methods: We assessed the incidence and severity of acute rejection episodes under a new protocol using a monoclonal antibody daclizumab in the induction phase of immunosuppressive therapy. The study group B (26 patients) was given daclizumab (1 mg/kg), the control group A (25 patients) was treated without daclizumab. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the important data. A total of first 10 EMB in every patient was classified according to the ISHLT recommendation. We also analysed the incidence of infections.

Results: During the first two months there was a significant lower incidence and/or severity of rejection episodes in the daclizumab group with p < or = 0.0016, 0.001 and 0.005 respectively.

Conclusions: Induction therapy with daclizumab significantly reduces the incidence of acute rejection episodes during the first two posttransplant months in heart transplant recipients. It does not increase the risk of infection.