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Published on: May 2, 2013
Anti-Interleukin 6 Therapeutics for Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection In Kidney Transplant Recipients
1From the Michael and Marian Ilitch Department of Surgery, Wayne Health, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Abstract:
Chronic antibody-mediated rejection is the predominant cause for late renal allograft loss for which there is, as yet, no treatment approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, although there are clinical trials in progress to evaluate novel treatment strategies. The current standard of care treatment is based on expert consensus, rather than scientific evidence, and includes glucocorticoids, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin, with or without rituximab or bortezomib. The low success rate with presently established management protocols represents a conspicuous exigency in the field of kidney transplantation. This review focuses on the biologic basis for interleukin 6 inhibitors, specifically tocilizumab and clazakizumab, and the safety and efficacy profiles of these agents for treatment of chronic antibody- mediated rejection in kidney transplant recipients.
Insights
New treatments targeting interleukin 6 are being explored for chronic antibody-mediated rejection, a major cause of kidney transplant failure. These novel therapies offer hope where current treatments lack efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Transplantation
Background:
- Chronic antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is the leading cause of late kidney allograft loss.
- Current standard treatments lack robust scientific evidence and have limited success rates.
- There is an urgent need for effective therapies for chronic AMR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biologic basis of interleukin 6 (IL-6) inhibitors.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of IL-6 inhibitors for treating chronic AMR in kidney transplant recipients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on IL-6 biology and clinical trial data.
- Analysis of safety and efficacy profiles of tocilizumab and clazakizumab.
Main Results:
- IL-6 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic AMR.
- Early clinical data suggest potential safety and efficacy of IL-6 inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Interleukin 6 inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic antibody-mediated rejection.
- Further clinical trials are warranted to establish the role of IL-6 inhibitors in kidney transplantation.
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