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A prospective economic evaluation of basiliximab (Simulect) therapy following renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Immunoprophylaxis with basiliximab (Simulect), an anti-interleukin-2-receptor (anti-IL-2R; CD25) chimeric monoclonal antibody, has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the incidence of acute cellular rejection in adult renal allograft recipients (32% vs. placebo, p < 0.01). METHODS: An economic evaluation was conducted as part of a U.S. multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing basiliximab plus dual immunosuppressive therapy (cyclosporine modified [Neoral] and corticosteroids) to dual therapy alone. Healthcare resources utilized by the 346 subjects in the 'intent-to-treat' population were prospectively collected over the 1-yr study period. Direct medical costs were determined for all hospitalizations, outpatient provider visits, procedures (excluding the initial transplant procedure), laboratory and diagnostic tests, and immunosuppressants, including basiliximab when administered. RESULTS: Total first-year medical costs were lower for the basiliximab group than for the placebo group ($28 927 vs. $32 300, difference = $3373). although this difference was not statistically significant. First-year hospital costs for treating acute rejection were also lower for the basiliximab group ($9328 vs. $10761, difference = $1433); however, this difference did not achieve statistical significance. Importantly, the efficacy analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in the incidence of acute rejection (38 vs. 55%, p < 0.01) in the basiliximab arm, and this was accomplished without increasing the overall cost of care. Fewer basiliximab-treated patients (8 vs. 15%,, p = 0.03) were hospitalized. This observation suggested less serious illness and reduced treatment costs among basiliximab-treated patients, because the overall incidence of infection was similar between the groups. The adverse event profile of patients receiving basiliximab was clinically and economically indistinguishable from that of those treated with placebo. CONCLUSION: Induction immunosuppression with basiliximab, combined with cyclosporine modified and corticosteroids, was therapeutically beneficial and contained medical costs during the initial post-transplant year.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Basiliximab is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Basiliximab, a chimeric interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2-R) antagonist, was evaluated in 17 patients with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Patients were transplanted from a related (n = 6) or unrelated (n = 11) HLA-identical donor because of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 4), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 3), chronic myeloid leukemia (n = 7), myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 1), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 1), and multiple myeloma (n = 1). Basiliximab was given at a dose of 2 x 20 mg on 2 consecutive days after steroid-refractory acute GVHD had developed. Basiliximab was repeated on day 8 in cases of persistent GVHD. A median of four basiliximab infusions (range 1-12) were given to these patients. None had infusion-associated or cytokine-related side-effects after basiliximab. Twelve of 17 patients (71%) responded to basiliximab, 9/17 (53%) had a complete response (CR) of acute GVHD and 3/17 (18%) had a partial response (PR). Five of 17 patients (29%) did not respond. Chronic GVHD developed in 8/13 evaluable patients and only 2/8 had responded to basiliximab before. Five of 13 evaluable patients have no signs of chronic GVHD and all five had a CR or PR after basiliximab. This is the first report on the safety of basiliximab in patients with steroid-refractory acute GVHD. Our data suggest that basiliximab is effective in a substantial proportion of these patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

A randomized, double-blind trial of basiliximab immunoprophylaxis plus triple therapy in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was performed to assess whether immunoprophylaxis with basiliximab (Simulect) could reduce the incidence of acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine (Neoral), steroids, and azathioprine. METHODS: Three hundred forty patients received either placebo or basiliximab at a dose of 20 mg, given intravenously on days 0 and 4. All patients received cyclosporine, steroids, and azathioprine. The primary endpoint was the incidence of acute rejection at 6 months. Secondary endpoints included the safety and tolerability of basiliximab and placebo, 1-year patient and graft survival, and significant medical events up to 12 months. RESULTS: During the first 6 months posttransplantation, acute rejection occurred in 20.8% of patients given basiliximab versus 34.9% of patients administered placebo (P=0.005). Similarly, there was a reduction in biopsy-proven acute rejection at 6 months in the patients receiving basiliximab (P=0.023). One-year patient survival was 97.6% with basiliximab and 97.1% with placebo, graft survival was 91.5% versus 88.4%, respectively (NS). The adverse-events profile of patients treated with basiliximab was indistinguishable from that of patients treated with placebo. The number of patients with infections was similar (65.5% for basiliximab vs. 65.7% for placebo), including cytomegalovirus infections (17.3% vs. 14.5%, P=0.245). Nine neoplasms (three in the basiliximab group, six in the placebo arm) were recorded up to 1 year from transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Basiliximab in combination with cyclosporine, steroids, and azathioprine triple therapy was highly effective in reducing the incidence of acute renal allograft rejection without increasing the incidence of infections and other side effects.

Adult↗

A benefit-risk assessment of basiliximab in renal transplantation.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor (IL-2R) play a central role in T lymphocyte activation and immune response after transplantation. Research on the biology of IL-2R allowed the identification of key signal transduction pathways involved in the generation of proliferative and antiapoptotic signals in T cells. The alpha-chain of the IL-2R is a specific peptide against which monoclonal antibodies have been raised, with the aim of blunting the immune response by means of inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in primed lymphocytes. Indeed, basiliximab, one of such antibodies, has proved to be effective in reducing the episodes of acute rejection after kidney and pancreas transplantation. The use of basiliximab was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of any treated rejection episodes after kidney transplantation in the two major randomised studies (placebo 52.2% vs basiliximab 34.2% at 6 months, European study; placebo 54.9% vs basiliximab 37.6% at 1 year, US trial). Basiliximab and equine antithymocyte globulin (ATG) administration resulted in a similar rate of biopsy-proven acute rejection at 6 months (19% for both) and at 12 months (19% and 20%, respectively). The use of basiliximab appears not to be associated with an increased incidence of adverse events as compared with placebo in immunosuppressive regimens, including calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine and corticosteroids, and its safety profile is superior to ATG. Moreover, a similar occurrence of infections is noted in selected studies (65.5% after basiliximab vs 65.7% of controls), including cytomegalovirus infection (17.3% vs 14.5%), and cytokine-release syndrome is not observed. Finally, economic analysis demonstrated lower costs of overall treatment in patients treated with basiliximab. Therefore, the use of basiliximab entails a very low risk, allows safe reduction of corticosteroid dosage and reduces the short- and mid-term rejection rates. However, the improvement in the long-term survival of kidney grafts in patients treated according to modern immunosuppressive protocols is still to be demonstrated. These conclusions are based on a systematic review of the scientific literature, indexed on Medline database, concerning the mechanism of action, therapeutic activity, safety and pharmacoeconomic evaluation of basiliximab in renal transplantation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Basiliximab versus rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin for induction therapy in patients after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The use of basiliximab or rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (RATG) for induction therapy has significantly reduced the incidence of acute rejection episodes post-transplantation. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of basiliximab vs RATG in a population of adult heart transplant recipients. METHODS: We retrospective analyzed the safety and efficacy of basiliximab compared with RATG among 48 adult heart transplant recipients at our center. Twenty-five patients received basiliximab (20 mg on days 0 and 4 after heart transplantation), and 23 patients received RATG (1.5 mg/kg for 3 days). A standard triple-drug immunosuppression regimen was administered to all patients. RESULTS: The average biopsy score (ABS) at 1 month was 0.79 +/- 0.18 in the Basiliximab Group vs 0.47 +/- 0.2 in the RATG group (p = 0.023) and at 3 months was 0.75 +/- 0.24 in the Basiliximab Group vs 0.46 +/- 0.12 in the RATG Group (p = 0.032). At 6 months after transplantation, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (0.97 +/- 0.23 vs 0.58 +/- 0.17, p = .14). At 12 months the ABS was 0.85 +/- 0.4 in the Basiliximab Group vs 0.63 +/- 0.15 in the RATG Group (p = 0.12), and the number of episodes of infection was similar in both groups (19 vs 26; p = 0.16). There was no correlation between cumulative cyclosporine doses and rejection. Creatinine clearance levels were not statistically different between groups at baseline and up to 12 months after heart transplantation. Three patients died in the Basiliximab Group, and 2 patients died in the RATG Group. CONCLUSIONS: Rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin is more effective than basiliximab for prevention of rejection episodes after heart transplantation. Both induction agents provide similar safety profile.

Adult↗

Historical controlled trial of OKT3 versus basiliximab induction therapy in simultaneous pancreas-renal transplantation.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant recipients are at high immunological risk of rejection. Antibody induction is beneficial but lymphocyte-depleting therapy is associated with a high incidence of side-effects. We performed a historical controlled trial to compare OKT3 versus anti-CD25 antibody (basiliximab) induction therapy with regard to patient, kidney and pancreas survival, as well as to examine for any differences in acute rejection, graft function, and infective complications. Twenty-eight consecutive SPK transplants were performed at the Monash Medical Centre between December 1997 and November 2001. Anti CD3 monoclonal antibody (OKT3) was used prior to March 2000 (n = 12) and basiliximab was used after (n = 16), both in combination with cyclosporin, mycophenolate, and prednisolone. A retrospective comparison of outcomes was performed. At 6 months, patient (100 vs 100%), kidney (91.7 vs 91.7%) and pancreas (75 vs 83.3%) survival were similar in the OKT3 and basiliximab groups, respectively. A minority of subjects in each group remained free from rejection (42% basiliximab vs 25% on OKT3, P = NS). Renal function was superior in the basiliximab group (mean calculated creatinine clearance 79.4 +/- 11.9 vs 54.5 +/- 15.9 mL/min for basiliximab vs OKT3, P < 0.001). The incidence of major opportunistic infection was lower in basiliximab-treated patients (9 vs 50% in the OKT3 group, P = 0.033). Basiliximab was associated with similar 6-month patient, kidney and pancreas survival, superior renal function and less opportunistic infection as compared with OKT3 induction therapy in SPK transplants. Basiliximab is at least as effective and is safer than OKT3 for induction therapy in SPK transplantation.

Adult↗

Randomized double-blind study of immunoprophylaxis with basiliximab, a chimeric anti-interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody, in combination with mycophenolate mofetil-containing triple therapy in renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Acute rejection remains a major problem in renal transplantation. Immunoprophylaxis with basiliximab (Simulect) has achieved significant reductions in acute rejection episodes in renal allograft recipients receiving dual immunosuppression. This study explored the tolerability and cumulative benefit of combining basiliximab with triple-drug therapy-cyclosporine (USP Modified, Neoral), mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 123 kidney transplant recipients received either basiliximab at 20 mg before transplantation (day 0) and 20 mg on day 4 (n=59), or placebo (n=64). All received triple-drug immunosuppression and were followed for 6 months. RESULTS: Tolerability of basiliximab was equivalent to placebo, with no increase in serious adverse events, infection, malignancy, or posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. At 6 months, there were trends in favor of basiliximab over placebo in the incidences of first biopsy-confirmed acute rejection (15.3% vs. 26.6%, P=NS) and of acute rejection treated with antibody (5.1% vs. 15.6%, P=NS). Kaplan-Meier estimates at 4 weeks and 6 months were significantly in favor of basiliximab treatment for first acute rejection, biopsy-confirmed rejection, rejection episodes treated with antibody therapy, and treatment failure. Renal function improved more rapidly in the basiliximab group, with mean creatinine clearance at week 2 being 54.7 mL/min versus 43.2 mL/min for placebo (P=0.034). At 12 months, patient survival was 100% in both groups; graft survival was 94.9% with basiliximab and 92.2% with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Basiliximab immunoprophylaxis is safe, well tolerated, and shows a trend toward reduction in number of acute rejection episodes in renal transplant patients receiving cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids.

Adult↗

Basiliximab.

The chimaeric monoclonal antibody basiliximab specifically binds the alpha subunit of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor on activated T lymphocytes. Through competitive antagonism of IL-2, basiliximab supplements standard immunosuppressive therapy after renal transplantation. < or =24 Hours after a single intravenous dose of basiliximab 2.5 to 25 mg, approximately 90% of available IL-2 receptors on T lymphocytes were complexed with the drug. This level of basiliximab binding was maintained for 4 to 6 weeks when renal transplant patients received basiliximab 20 mg 2 hours before and then 4 days after transplantation surgery. In 2 large, well-designed trials, the percentage of patients with biopsy-confirmed acute rejection episodes after renal transplantation was significantly lower with basiliximab 20 mg (administered 2 hours before and then 4 days after transplantation surgery; 30 or 33%, respectively) than placebo (44 or 46%) at 6 months after surgery. Basiliximab was well tolerated during clinical trials. The incidence of infections (including active cytomegalovirus infection) and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders was similar with basiliximab and placebo. Cytokine release syndrome was not observed in patients who received basiliximab.

Animals↗

Economic implications of the use of basiliximab in addition to triple immunosuppressive therapy in renal allograft recipients: a UK perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To compare resource use and costs in renal transplant recipients treated with basiliximab or placebo plus triple immunosuppressive therapy. DESIGN: International randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; economic evaluation undertaken alongside the efficacy trial. The economic evaluation was performed from a UK National Health Service hospital perspective. SETTING: 31 centres in 12 countries. PARTICIPANTS: 345 renal transplant recipients were enrolled; 340 were randomised (basiliximab 168; placebo 172) and included in the intention-to-treat analysis. INTERVENTION: Treatment with placebo or basiliximab (20mg intravenous bolus) on day 0 and day 4 after transplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resource utilisation in multiple categories and treatment costs for basiliximab and placebo-treated patients during the 6-month post-transplantation period. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in any of the economically important categories of resource use or in the mean cost of treatment per person across the whole trial. The mean cost of treatment, including the cost of basiliximab, was pound 16 095 for basiliximab recipients and pound 15 864 (1997/1998 costs) for placebo recipients, a mean difference of pound 231 (95% CI: - pound 1983 to pound 2446), which was not significant. Basiliximab treatment led to a significant reduction in acute rejection episodes (basiliximab 20.8%; placebo 34.9%; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Basiliximab therapy confers a significant clinical benefit to renal transplant recipients without increasing overall treatment costs.

Adolescent↗

Cost evaluation of basiliximab treatment for renal transplant patients in Japan.

BACKGROUND: International phase III studies (CHIB 201 and 352) showed that basiliximab, a high affinity chimeric monoclonal antibody interleukin-2 receptor antagonist, is highly effective in preventing acute rejection when used as immunoprophylaxis in patients receiving cyclosporin (Neoral). We conducted a cost evaluation by applying international clinical results to standard Japanese medical practice. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of basiliximab in renal transplant patients receiving conventional immunosuppressive therapy using cyclosporin and corticosteroids from the perspective of the healthcare payer in Japan. STUDY DESIGN: A decision tree model was developed, comprising seven pathways with key clinical events identified after the transplantation. The average first-year treatment costs after transplantation for patients treated with and without basiliximab were calculated using the model. A sensitivity analysis was done to measure the degree of influence of several criteria including the incidences of rejection, and rejection responding to steroid pulse therapy and antibody therapy. METHODS: Estimates of key clinical events were derived from the international studies. Calculation of direct medical costs were made from the payers' perspective, based on the Social Insurance Medical Fee Table in Japan. The cost of basiliximab was assumed as zero. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Basiliximab use produced an estimated saving of 315,807 yen (2000 values) during the first year after transplantation. Reduced acute rejection treatment and dialysis most influenced the cost saving. The sensitivity analysis showed that the average cost for a patient was lower in the basiliximab group and that the model was effective within the plausible range of each criterion that would reflect renal transplantation in Japan. CONCLUSIONS: If the cost of basiliximab is less than 315,807 yen, the clinical and economic benefits of basiliximab in the first year after transplantation support the routine use of basiliximab in renal transplantation in Japan.

Adult↗

A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of basiliximab in heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The role and pharmacokinetics of interleukin-2 (IL-2) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in heart transplantation remain unclear. This 1-year double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluated safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the IL-2 mAb basiliximab with cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids in adult de novo heart transplant recipients. METHODS: Fifty-six patients received either basiliximab (20 mg) or placebo on Days 0 and 4 post-transplantation. Safety assessments included adverse events, serious adverse events, and infections. The time to and severity of biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) were also assessed. RESULTS: Basiliximab was generally well tolerated. There were no significant differences between treatment groups with respect to adverse event profiles, serious adverse events (84.0% vs 61.3%), or infections (84% vs 74.2%). The mean number of days to first BPAR was longer with basiliximab (73.7 +/- 59.68) than placebo (40.6 +/- 53.30) at 6 months, but not statistically significant (trend). The duration that basiliximab concentrations exceeded the CD25 saturation threshold averaged 38 +/- 13 days. Patients with rejection did not clear basiliximab faster or have shorter durations of saturation than rejection-free patients. None of the patients screened had detectable anti-idiotype antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot results describe the pharmacokinetics of basiliximab and show that basiliximab appears to be tolerated with a similar safety profile to placebo in adult de novo heart transplant recipients. Larger scale clinical trials are feasible and warranted.

Adult↗

Basiliximab plus low-dose cyclosporin vs. OKT3 for induction immunosuppression following renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Current immunosuppressive therapies are very effective in preventing acute rejection (AR) and graft loss following renal transplantation. Newer agents now make it possible to develop equally efficacious but better tolerated and less toxic strategies. This is especially relevant for our ageing recipients. We now compare the efficacy of basiliximab combined with early low-dose cyclosporin therapy to standard OKT3 induction therapy. METHODS: In this single-centre study, 100 consecutive recipients of cadaveric kidney transplants from November 1998 to August 2000 were treated with basiliximab combined with early low-dose cyclosporin, reduced steroids and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Clinical outcomes at 100 d and 1 yr were compared with a group of 26 patients transplanted from March 1995 to November 1998 who received OKT3, delayed full-dose cyclosporin, high-dose steroids and MMF. Amongst basiliximab treated patients, we compared clinical outcomes in those older and younger than 60 yr. RESULTS: Both groups were similar except for a shorter cold ischaemic time in the basiliximab group. Length of stay, number of readmissions, total hospitalization days and cytomegalovirus infections were lower in the basiliximab group. Despite a 40% reduction in steroids, basiliximab-treated patients had fewer biopsy-proven episodes of AR (basiliximab 14% vs. OKT3 35%) and required less antilymphocyte antibody therapy. Clinical outcomes including patient and graft survival were no different between groups. Long-term graft survival for patients over 60 yr was limited primarily by mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with OKT3 induction therapy, the combination of early low-dose cyclosporin and basiliximab is steroid sparing, effective, well tolerated and relatively safe.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

A population pharmacokinetic screen to identify demographic-clinical covariates of basiliximab in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Basiliximab is a high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor (CD25) chimeric monoclonal antibody used for immunoprophylaxis in organ transplantation. It was assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy trial in de novo liver allograft recipients who received 40 mg of basiliximab (20 mg on days 0 and 4) in addition to baseline immunosuppression with cyclosporine (INN, ciclosporin) microemulsion and corticosteroids. METHODS: Serial blood samples (8.3 +/- 1.4 per patient) were collected during 12 weeks after transplantation from 184 basiliximab-treated patients, and empirical Bayes estimates of each patient's disposition parameters were derived. Demographic-clinical covariates were explored with regression methods. RESULTS: Basiliximab clearance was 55 +/- 26 mL/h, the distribution volume was 9.7 +/- 4.2 L, and the half-life was 8.7 +/- 6.7 days. Patient weight, age, sex, ethnicity, history of alcoholism, hepatitis C seropositivity, and notable postoperative bleeding had no clinically relevant influences on basiliximab disposition; however, the cumulative volume of drained ascites fluid in the first week was positively correlated with clearance. Receptor-saturating basiliximab concentrations (> or =0.1 microg/mL) were maintained for 38 +/- 16 days, and this was negatively correlated with the cumulative volume of drained ascites fluid in week 1. Patients who experienced an acute rejection episode did not clear basiliximab at a faster rate than their rejection-free peers nor did they maintain CD25-saturating concentrations for a shorter period. CONCLUSIONS: Although the standard dose regimen of 20 mg of basiliximab on days 0 and 4 after transplantation appears to be appropriate for the majority of patients with liver transplants, a supplemental dose at the end of the first week may be considered for those with substantial (>10 L) postoperative ascites fluid drainage.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

A rational dosing algorithm for basiliximab (Simulect) in pediatric renal transplantation based on pharmacokinetic-dynamic evaluations.

BACKGROUND: The pharmacokinetics and immunodynamics of basiliximab were assessed in 39 pediatric de novo kidney allograft recipients to rationally chose a dose regimen for this age group. METHODS: In study part 1, patients were given 12 mg/m(2) of basiliximab by bolus intravenous injection before surgery and on day 4. An interim pharmacokinetic evaluation supported a fixed-dose approach for study part 2 in which infants and children received two 10-mg doses and adolescents received two 20-mg doses. Blood samples were collected over a 12-week period for analysis of basiliximab and soluble interleukin-2 receptor concentrations, flow cytometry, and screening for anti-idiotype antibodies. RESULTS: Basiliximab clearance in infants and children (n=25) was reduced by approximately half compared with adults from a previous study and was independent of age (1-11 years), weight (9-37 kg), and body surface area (0.44-1.20 m(2) ). Clearance in adolescents (12-16 years, n=14) approached or reached adult values. CD25-saturating basiliximab concentrations were maintained for 31+/-12 days in study part 1 with mg/m(2) dosing and for 36+/-14 days in study part 2 based on the fixed-dose regimen ( P=0.31). A single patient experienced a rejection episode during CD25 saturation. The duration of CD25 saturation in patients who experienced a rejection episode after desaturation did not differ from those who remained rejection-free for the full 6-month period: 34+/-6 days (n=6) vs. 35+/-14 days (n=33 patients); P=0.74. Anti-idiotype antibodies were detected in two patients; however, this did not influence the clearance of basiliximab or the duration of CD25 saturation. CONCLUSIONS: To achieve similar basiliximab exposure as is efficacious in adults, pediatric patients <35 kg should receive two 10-mg doses and those > or =35 kg should receive two 20-mg doses of basiliximab by intravenous infusion or bolus injection. The first dose is given before surgery and the second on day 4 after transplantation.

Algorithms↗

Sequential protocols using basiliximab versus antithymocyte globulins in renal-transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil and steroids.

BACKGROUND: Sequential anti-thymocyte globulins (ATG)/cyclosporine immunosuppression has two main advantages: delayed introduction of the nephrotoxic drug cyclosporine and prevention of acute rejection. Basiliximab, a recently developed chimeric monoclonal antibody that selectively depletes the minor subpopulation of activated T lymphocytes, has been shown to reduce the incidence of acute rejection when used with cyclosporine introduced on day 1. METHODS: This open, randomized, multicenter study was undertaken to compare the safety and efficacy of ATG versus basiliximab induction therapy (IT) with delayed introduction of cyclosporine for microemulsion (Neoral) in 105 low immunologic risk renal-transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. RESULTS: One-year patient and graft survival rates were 98.1% and 94.2%, respectively, in the basiliximab group (n = 52), and 98.1% and 96.2% in the ATG group (n = 53). The incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection was comparable (basiliximab 9.6%, ATG 9.4%), as were key parameters of renal function, notably serum creatinine levels, time-to-nadir serum creatinine, and the number of patients requiring posttransplantation dialysis (basiliximab 28.8%, ATG 30.2%). However, significantly fewer patients in the basiliximab group experienced cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia, and this without any significant difference in any other key safety parameters (including the incidences of serum sickness, fever, lymphoma, and infections in general). CONCLUSIONS: Both ATG and basiliximab, when used for IT in a sequential protocol, are equally effective in terms of graft and patient survival as well as at preventing acute rejection. However, basiliximab is associated with a lower incidence of certain key adverse events, namely CMV infection, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.

Adolescent↗

The selective use of basiliximab versus thymoglobulin in combination with sirolimus for cadaveric renal transplant recipients at low risk versus high risk for delayed graft function.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that the use of basiliximab together with sirolimus permits a window of recovery from delayed graft function before the introduction of reduced-dose cyclosporine. The present study reviews our experience with the substitution of thymoglobulin for basiliximab as induction therapy for recipients at increased risk for early acute rejection episodes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 145 cadaveric renal allograft recipients who received either basiliximab (n=115) or thymoglobulin (n=30) in combination with sirolimus and prednisone, followed by delayed introduction of reduced doses of cyclosporine. Recipients were stratified as high immune responders if they were African American, a retransplant recipient, or a recipient with a panel-reactive antibody greater than 50%. All other recipients were considered low immune responders. RESULTS: Basiliximab-treated high immune responders exhibited a higher incidence of acute rejection episodes (26%) than either basiliximab-treated low immune responders (10%, P=0.04) or thymoglobulin-treated high immune responders (3%, P=0.01). The median time to initiation of cyclosporine was 12 days; cyclosporine was initiated when the serum creatinine level was 2.5 mg/dL or less. Patients with early return of renal function displayed a lower incidence of acute rejection episodes than those with later recovery of function (P=0.003). High immune responders treated with basiliximab expressed a higher mean serum creatinine level at 3 months (P<0.01), 6 months (P=0.02) and 12 months (P=0.01) than either low immune responders treated with basiliximab or high immune responders treated with thymoglobulin. CONCLUSION: A strategy combining sirolimus with basiliximab for low-immunologic risk recipients and thymoglobulin for high-risk recipients leads to prompt recovery of renal function with a low risk of acute rejection episodes.

Adult↗

Two-dose basiliximab compared with two-dose daclizumab in renal transplantation: a clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Addition of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) antagonists basiliximab or daclizumab to a calcineurin inhibitor-based regimen significantly reduces risk of acute rejection with a tolerability profile similar to a placebo. Use of a truncated two-dose regimen of daclizumab has been reported, but till date, there has been no controlled study of two-dose daclizumab vs. two-dose basiliximab. METHODS: Deceased-donor renal transplant recipients were randomized to basiliximab (20 mg on days 0 and 4) or daclizumab (50 mg on days 1 and 14) with cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids. Flow cytometry was used to calculate the proportion of CD25(+) T cells in peripheral blood. RESULTS: Thirty patients were randomized to basiliximab and 28 to daclizumab. There was one patient death in each group, with no other graft losses. By six months, the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection was 0% with basiliximab vs. 21.4% with daclizumab (p < 0.05). Three patients in the daclizumab group required OKT3 for steroid-resistant rejection. There were no between-group differences in the incidence of infection. The proportion of CD25(+) T cells declined markedly during the first two wk in both groups, but was significantly lower in the basiliximab group during weeks six to eight. CONCLUSION: Two doses of basiliximab are more effective than two 1 mg/kg doses of daclizumab in preventing acute rejection in de novo renal transplant patients receiving cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroid maintenance therapy. In patients receiving relatively low-level immunosuppression in order to minimize toxicity, basiliximab may be preferable to a truncated daclizumab regimen.

Adult↗

Meta-analysis of basiliximab for immunoprophylaxis in renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Basiliximab is a high-affinity chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha-chain of the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor. Individual studies have shown that it is highly effective in preventing acute rejection and causes no measurable incremental toxicity. However, incorporation of basiliximab immunoprophylaxis into routine practice depends upon the demonstration of benefit across treatment regimens and quantitation of the treatment effect. METHODS: This study employed a meta-analysis to examine the clinical benefit of basiliximab. Parameter estimates were derived from four randomised prospective double-blind studies conducted in 93 renal transplant centres in 18 countries. A total of 1185 adult primary allograft recipients were randomised within the centres to receive either basiliximab 20mg intravenously on days 0 and 4 or placebo, in addition to double or triple immunosuppression consisting of cyclosporin-microemulsion (Neoral((R))The use of tradenames is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.), corticosteroids, and azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil. Key clinical events included patient and graft survival, graft rejection and complications. Analysis was performed using a variable model; odds ratios and the numbers needed to treat (NNT) to benefit or to harm one patient were calculated for each principal outcome at 6 or 12 months post-transplant. RESULTS: Basiliximab reduced the relative risk (RR) and absolute risk (AR) of clinical and biopsy-proven acute graft rejection across all treatment regimens. The overall RR of clinical acute graft rejection was decreased by 35% in patients receiving basiliximab. AR was reduced by 15.6% (pooled incidence: 28.8% vs 44.4%, p < 0.0001), and the NNT for efficacy was six. The reduction in RR of biopsy-proven rejection was similar (32%) with an absolute risk reduction (ARR) of 11.7% (pooled incidence: 25.1% vs 36.8%, p < 0.0001) and NNT of nine over 6 months. There was a concomitant reduction in the risk of graft loss which did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.14). The RR of graft loss was reduced by 26% with an AR reduction of 2.3% (pooled incidence: 6.4% vs 8.7%) and an NNT of 42 over 6 months. The risk of death was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Immunoprophylaxis with basiliximab produces a significant reduction in the RR and AR of clinical and biopsy-proven acute graft rejection with a trend towards a concomitant reduction in the risk of graft loss. The magnitude of protection provided by basiliximab, the fact that it is observed across treatment regimens and the safety of this therapy are arguments for its routine use in renal transplantation.

Adult↗