Radiotherapy in treatment of acute rejection of human renal allografts

Abstract

36 patients who received a renal transplant and who subsequently underwent a rejection episode were randomised into two groups. The first group received a standard form of rejection therapy consisting in high doses of steroid drugs, and the second group received in addition 600 rads of radiotherapy to the graft. After three years (minimum follow-up twelve months) the groups were compared with respect to patient and graft survival and level of transplant function. No benefit was obtained by the group receiving radiotherapy.