Lymphapheresis in organ transplantation: preliminary report

Reduction of lymphoid tissue by splenectomy and/or thymectomy has been used as a part of immunosuppression in organ transplantation (4). More recently Walker (7), Johnson (2), Franksson (1) and Starzl (5,6) and their associates have shown that chronic depletion of lymphocytes by thoracic duct drainage decreases the incidence of rejection and hence increases renal graft survival. Mechanical removal of lymphocytes from circulation peripheral blood should theoretically achieve the same or similar effect on the immunity as thoracic duct drainage. Since September, 1979, five organ transplant recipients have received multiple lymphocytapheresis by IBM 2997 Blood Cell Separator as a mechanical pretransplant immunosuppression. The changes in cellular and humoral immunity and the clinical outcome are presented in this report.