Pharmacodynamics of rituximab in kidney transplantation.

The B-cell depleting anti-CD20 antibody rituximab has become a therapeutic alternative in renal transplantation. However, understanding of the pharmacodynamics is limited. We have therefore studied the effect of single-dose rituximab, in combination with conventional triple immunosuppressive therapy, on the B-cell population in peripheral blood as well as in tissues, in kidney transplant recipients.