Clinical experience with antilymphocyte-globulin in cadaveric kidney transplantation

Two different commercially available anti-lymphocyte-globulin preparations have been used in 30 recipients of primary cadaveric kidneys. No difference in graft survival was found within three years after transplantation compared to 102 primary cadaceric kidney recipients who only received basic immunosuppression. When only patients completing an intended ALG dosage were considered, the one-year graft survival was 65% compared to 52% in patients not receiving ALG. In this series of ALG treated patients no major benefits were found compared to the basic immunosuppressive regimen used at this transplantation centre.