G., Gentile C., Somma A., Gennarini D., Mastroluca G., Rota F., Lacanna B., Locatelli G., Remuzzi P., Ruggenenti Supplementary Material for: Low-Dose RATG with or without Basiliximab in Renal Transplantation: A Matched-Cohort Observational Study <p><b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> In renal transplantation, peri-operative low-dose rabbit-antithymocyte-globulin (RATG) plus basiliximab induction prevented acute allograft rejection more effectively than post-operative RATG plus basiliximab induction. We investigated the specific antirejection contribution of basiliximab in this context. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This single-center, observational, matched-cohort study evaluated allograft rejections (primary outcome), steroid exposure and side effects, GFR (iohexol plasma clearance) and treatment costs in 16 deceased-donor renal transplant recipients induced with RATG (0.5 mg/kg/day) and 32 age-, gender- and treatment-matched reference-patients given RATG plus basiliximab (20 mg on days 0 and 4). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Induction was well tolerated. At 18 months, 8 patients (50%) vs. 3 reference-patients (9.4%) rejected the graft [HR (95% CI): 6.53 (1.73-24.70), p = 0.006]. Difference was significant (p < 0.01) even after adjusting for recipient/donor age and gender, cold ischemia time and HLA mismatches. There were 1 antibody-mediated rejection and 2 moderate cellular rejections in patients vs. none in reference-patients (p = 0.032). The median (interquartile range) prednisone cumulative dose was remarkably higher in patients than reference-patients [4.78 (1.12-6.10) vs. 0.19 (0.18-3.81) grams, p = 0.002]. Three patients vs. 24 reference-patients were off-steroid at study end (p < 0.001). Three patients vs. no reference-patient developed new-onset diabetes (p = 0.003). Both inductions similarly depleted B-cells. Outcomes of AZA- vs. MMF-treated participants were similar. GFR was similar in all groups. Compared to MMF, AZA therapy saved ≈ EUR 2,500/year and by month 14.3 post-transplant compensated basiliximab costs. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In renal transplantation, basiliximab plus peri-operative low-dose RATG more efficiently prevented allograft rejection than RATG monotherapy, and minimized steroid exposure and toxicity. AZA- vs MMF-based maintenance immunosuppression largely compensated the extra costs of basiliximab.</p> Kidney transplantation;Graft rejection;Induction;Basiliximab;Thymoglobulin;Steroid withdrawal;Minimization 2017-01-17
    https://karger.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Supplementary_Material_for_Low-Dose_RATG_with_or_without_Basiliximab_in_Renal_Transplantation_A_Matched-Cohort_Observational_Study/4558018
10.6084/m9.figshare.4558018.v1