The use of antibodies against the IL-2 receptor in transplantation

Abstract

Humanized monoclonal antibodies that recognize the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor (e.g. daclizumab) have been used to prevent allograft rejection, since this chain is expressed by T cells participating in allograft rejection but not by resting T cells. In a randomized trial, when added to standard cyclosporin-based immunosuppression, daclizumab significantly reduced the frequency of acute rejection of renal transplants.