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Effectiveness of Rabbit Antithymocyte Globulin in Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction
S Izhakian1, W G Wasser2, B D Fox1
1Rabin Medical Center, Pulmonary Institute, Petah Tiqva, Israel; The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Transplantation Proceedings
|August 30, 2016
Summary
Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) therapy stabilized chronic lung rejection in one-third of lung transplant patients. Early consideration of rATG may slow chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) progression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Transplantation
Background:
- Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) is established for acute lung transplant rejection.
- Its efficacy in chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is less understood.
- This study investigates rATG for CLAD progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of rATG therapy in slowing CLAD progression.
- To identify patient characteristics associated with response to rATG.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 25 lung transplant patients with CLAD treated with rATG.
- Response defined by stabilization (≥6 months FEV1 stability) or deterioration.
- Analysis of clinical data, including FEV1, survival, and blood counts.
Main Results:
- 32% of patients achieved stabilization; 68% showed deterioration.
- Stabilization group was older, had longer survival, and better FEV1 metrics.
- Lower white blood cell and lymphocyte counts observed during rATG treatment in the stabilization group.
Conclusions:
- rATG therapy demonstrated effectiveness in stabilizing CLAD progression in approximately one-third of patients.
- Early intervention with rATG in CLAD warrants consideration.
- Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.
