Eculizumab: safety and efficacy after 17 months of treatment in a renal transplant patient with recurrent atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome: case report

Abstract

In a recent study, eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody which targets complement factor C5, appeared to resolve hemolysis and thrombocytopenia leading to recovery of renal function in a transplant patient during an episode of an atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. We report the efficacy of eculizumab in a patient who presented with a recurrence of atypical hemolytic syndrome at 3 years after renal transplantation. After 17 months of eculizumab treatment, and without concomitant plasma therapy, renal function was maintained, the need for blood transfusions reduced, and acute thrombotic microangiopathy and hemolysis controlled. These data suggested that eculizumab should be considered to be a permanent treatment for this patient.