ANTITHYMOCYTE GLOBULIN (ATGAM) IN RENAL ALLOGRAFT RECIPIENTS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Antithymocyte globulin (ATG, ATGAM) was tested for efficacy and saftey in controlled studies in 358 renal allograft recipients. A total of 183 patients were treated according to protocols prescribing 14 daily doses of ATG in addition to standard immunosuppressive therapy with azathioprine and prednisone, while 175 controls received no ATG. Four ATG lots were tested; results with each lot were analyzed separately, and the data were also pooled to obtain an overall impression. ATG delayed the onset of the first rejection episode during the prescribed treatment period (2 wk). Concurrently, less i.v. steroid was required, but the steroid dosage requirement then rebounded in the 2 wk after the end of the prescribed treatment period. ATG did not significantly improve the proportion of patients alive with functioning grafts 6 mo. after transplant, except with 1 of the 4 lots.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: