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Article
Use of OKT3 Monoclonal Antibody as Induction Therapy for Control of Rejection in Liver Transplantation
Digestive Diseases and Sciences (1995)
  • William J. Wall, The University of Western Ontario
  • Cameron N. Ghent, The University of Western Ontario
  • Andre Roy, The University of Western Ontario
  • Vivian C. McAlister, The University of Western Ontario
  • David R. Grant, The University of Western Ontario
  • Paul C. Adams, The University of Western Ontario
Abstract

This report details a single center's experience with OKT3 induction immunosuppression for liver transplantation. One hundred ninety-nine consecutive, unselected adult liver recipients received OKT3 therapy for 9-10 days combined with low-dose steroids and azathioprine. Cyclosporine was begun to overlap with the last few days of OKT3 therapy. The average dose of OKT3 was 45 mg. Fifty-two patients (26.1%) experienced 57 episodes of acute rejection. The median time of onset of rejection was 18 days after grafting. Seventy-eight percent of the rejection episodes were steroid-sensitive. Recurrent rejection was uncommon and the need for OKT3 retreatment was infrequent. One year actuarial graft and patient survival was 79.7% and 82.3% respectively. Based on this evidence, it appears that OKT3 prophylaxis provides good control of acute rejection with a very low incidence of recurrent rejection.

Keywords
  • Acute Disease,
  • Cyclosporine,
  • Graft Rejection,
  • Liver Transplantation,
  • Muromonab-CD3,
  • Recurrence,
  • Survival Rate
Disciplines
Publication Date
January, 1995
Publisher Statement
Dr. Vivian McAlister is currently a faculty member at The University of Western Ontario.
Citation Information
William J. Wall, Cameron N. Ghent, Andre Roy, Vivian C. McAlister, et al.. "Use of OKT3 Monoclonal Antibody as Induction Therapy for Control of Rejection in Liver Transplantation" Digestive Diseases and Sciences Vol. 40 Iss. 1 (1995)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/vivianmcalister/100/