Induction therapy in lung transplantation: initial single-center experience comparing daclizumab and antithymocyte...

Acute and chronic rejection remain unresolved problems after lung transplantation, despite heavy multidrug immunosuppression. Because acute rejection is associated with inferior outcomes in lung transplantation, we have routinely employed antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or daclizumab as adjuncts to reduce the incidence of rejection episodes.

We performed a controlled clinical trial of the two therapies to evaluate differences in postoperative rejection, infection, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) and host survival. Twenty-five consecutive lung transplant patients received ATG (n = 12; group 1) or daclizumab (n = 13; group 2) as an induction agent. The groups showed similar demographics and immunosuppression protocols, differ only in induction agent.

No differences were observed in the immediate postoperative outcomes, such as length of hospitalization, ICU stay, or time on ventilator. There were no significant differences in the number of episodes of acute rejection, freedom from BOS, or infections. Freedom from acute rejection was significantly greater with daclizumab than with ATG (P = .037). The 1-year survival for group 1 was 67% and for group 2, 77% (P = .584).

Daclizumab constitutes a safe and effective form of induction immunosuppressive therapy. Using a two-dose administration schedule, daclizumab prolonged the time without acute rejection compared to ATG. The differences in the incidence of infectious complications, acute rejection, or BOS as well as the short-term or long-term results were not significantly different. The results of the study justify the further use of daclizumab as an induction agent in patients following lung transplantation.