Antibody-Mediated Rejection Management Following Lung Transplantation

Abstract

Background

Although antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is described in other solid organ transplant populations, the literature describing the management following lung transplantation is limited.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the management strategies of AMR in lung transplant recipients.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective study described the management of AMR in adult lung transplant recipients who received treatment with rabbit antithymocyte globulin, bortezomib, rituximab, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), and/or plasmapheresis between September 2015 and June 2019.

Results

A total of 270 medication orders for 55 patient admissions were included in the primary outcome analysis. The most commonly used regimen consisted of IVIG, plasmapheresis, and rituximab (49.1%; n = 27), followed by IVIG and plasmapheresis alone (27.3%, n = 15). A total of 51 patients (93%) received plasmapheresis as part of their AMR treatment, with a median of 4 [3, 5] sessions per encounter; 86% of patients with positive donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) had a reduction in DSAs following AMR treatment. Overall, 23.5% of patients had noted allograft failure or need for retransplantation. A total of 10 patients died during the AMR treatment hospital admission, and an additional 11 patients died within 1 year of the initial encounter.

Conclusion and Relevance

This represents the largest report describing management strategies of AMR in lung transplant recipients. Although practice varied, the most commonly used regimen consisted of plasmapheresis, IVIG, and rituximab.