HLA-matching in cyclosporine treated renal transplant recipients: a prospective Swedish-Norwegian multicenter study

1. In this prospective study of 613 CD and 205 one haplotype mismatched LRD transplant recipients treated with CyA, there was no influence of HLA-matching (A, B, DR or combinations) on graft survival rate at one and two years. 2. Patients who successfully received HLA-DR-matched kidneys (CD or LRD) had fewer rejection episodes during the first six months after transplantation. 3. Three factors significantly reduced the cadaveric graft survival rate: (a) presence of panel reactive T-cell antibodies in a current recipient serum, (b) cold ischemia time beyond 27 hours, and (c) recipient age above 55 years. 4. The survival rate of one haplotype mismatched LRD kidneys was excellent and is considered to be the optimal treatment for uremia also in CyA-treated patients. 5. Based on this study, exchange of well HLA-matched CD kidneys to non-sensitized patients has been terminated provisionally in Scandia-transplant. Exchange of HLA-A, B-matched kidneys will be maintained, however, for sensitized patients inasmuch as this will increase the chance of obtaining a negative cross-match and possibly improve graft survival in this high-risk patient group.