Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
11:49
Trans-vivo Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Assay for Antigen Specific Regulation
Published on: May 2, 2013
Eculizumab in renal transplantation
Christophe Legendre1, Rébecca Sberro-Soussan, Julien Zuber
1Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France. christophe.legendre@nck.aphp.fr
Transplantation Reviews (Orlando, Fla.)
|June 11, 2013
Summary
Eculizumab effectively blocks complement activation, a key factor in kidney transplant rejection and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome recurrence. Further research will define its role in optimizing transplant outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Transplantation
Background:
- Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is the primary cause of kidney graft loss.
- Donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) and complement activation significantly impact graft survival.
- Complement activation is crucial in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) recurrence and delayed graft function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role of eculizumab in kidney transplantation.
- To assess eculizumab's efficacy in preventing AMR and aHUS recurrence.
- To explore eculizumab's potential in managing highly sensitized recipients and ABO incompatible transplants.
Main Methods:
- Review of current evidence on eculizumab use in kidney transplantation.
- Analysis of eculizumab's mechanism of action targeting complement component C5.
- Ongoing studies investigating eculizumab in various transplant scenarios.
Main Results:
- Eculizumab shows promise in preventing acute and chronic AMR in highly sensitized patients.
- Eculizumab effectively prevents or treats aHUS recurrence post-transplantation.
- Limited but convincing evidence supports eculizumab's efficacy in specific kidney transplant settings.
Conclusions:
- Eculizumab is a potential therapeutic agent for managing antibody-mediated rejection and aHUS recurrence in kidney transplantation.
- Further research is needed to establish precise indications and treatment duration for eculizumab.
- Eculizumab may revolutionize the management of kidney transplant recipients with DSAs or at risk of HUS recurrence.
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