Belatacept in kidney transplantation

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) play a major role in long-term renal allograft dysfunction because of their nephrotoxic side-effects. Belatacept, a selective costimulation blockade agent, is the first biological agent approved for maintenance immunosuppression in renal transplantation.

Studies have shown better preservation of glomerular filtration rate and improved metabolic end points with belatacept when compared with CNIs. More recent studies have shown that belatacept can be an effective first-line immunosuppressive agent with complete avoidance of CNIs and corticosteroids.

Newer biological agents like belatacept may replace CNIs/corticosteroids in renal transplant recipients, with a benefit of better short-term and long-term renal function, better compliance, and ultimately a possible improvement in long-term renal allograft survival.