Bortezomib for acute antibody-mediated rejection in liver transplantation

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is an uncommon, but challenging type of rejection after solid organ transplantation. We review three cases of AMR in ABO-compatible liver transplant recipients. These cases were characterized by severe acute rejection resistant to steroids and antithymocyte globulin, histologic evidence of plasma cell infiltrates, C4d positivity and high serum anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies. All three patients were treated with bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor effective in depleting plasma cells. After treatment, all patients had improved or normal liver function tests, resolution of C4d deposition and significant decline in their HLA donor-specific antibodies.