Delayed graft function in kidney transplantation

Abstract

Purpose of review: Delayed graft function (DGF) has several long-term graft implications in the field of kidney transplantation and remains a challenge. The incidence of DGF is on the rise because of an increasing use of marginal kidneys in an era of organ shortage. Risk factors for DGF are numerous and stem from multiple sources in the transplant chain starting from the donor to its final allocation in the recipient. There is no FDA-approved therapy for DGF, and several therapies are being studied to mitigate ischemic injury and prolong graft survival.

Recent findings: Published data from studies suggest that ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and immune responses to transplants are the leading cause of DGF, which in turn is associated with an increased incidence in acute renal rejection. Several novel methods are being developed and are undergoing further clinical validation to prove as an effective therapy against DGF.

Summary: Recent studies have proposed several different mechanisms to mitigate ischemic injury to prevent acute renal injury, both of which are representative of DGF. New therapies must be effectively reviewed to ensure advancement of DGF prevention. A number of immunotherapies targeted towards inhibition of complement activation in addition to other novel therapies might prove promising towards mitigating DGF.