Steroid-free lymphocyte depletion protocols. The potential for partial tolerance?
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2005
Abstract
Induction of tolerance has been a longstanding goal in transplantation. Recent preliminary studies using a steroid-free lymphocyte depletion strategy have been met with great excitement and an equal degree of skepticism. Current studies in this area suggest that immunosuppression can be reduced substantially but acute rejection develops at a rate approximately twice that of standard triple drug protocols. None of the lymphocyte-depleting protocols has resulted in full tolerance as evidenced by patients attaining a maintenance drug-free state. Workers in the field have suggested that a degree of tolerance is achieved and they have coined a growing number of terms to describe this state: prope tolerance, metastable tolerance, and partial tolerance. To date, patient follow-up has been relatively short leaving many unanswered questions about graft survival, chronic allograft nephropathy, and the minimally effective maintenance immunosuppression. Despite these limitations, steroid-free lymphocyte depletion may offer an exciting new treatment paradigm.
Volume
146
First Page
43
Last Page
53
ISSN
0302-5144
Published In/Presented At
McCauley J. (2005). Steroid-free lymphocyte depletion protocols. The potential for partial tolerance?. Contributions to nephrology, 146, 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1159/000082060
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
15567919
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article