New Developments and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Options in Costimulatory Blockade in Solid Organ Transplantation: A Systematic Critical Review.

Purpose: In this review, the authors summarized the latest developments in costimulatory blockade to prevent rejection after solid organ transplantation (SOT) and discussed possibilities for future research and the need for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of these agents.

Methods: Studies about costimulatory blockers in SOT in humans or animal transplant models in the past decade (2014-2024) were systematically reviewed in PubMed, European Union clinical trials (EudraCT), and ClinicalTrials.gov .

Anti-HLA Class II Antibodies Are the Most Resistant to Desensitization in Crossmatch-positive Living-donor Kidney Transplantations: A Patient Series.

Background: In HLA-incompatible kidney transplantation, the efficacy of desensitization in terms of anti-HLA antibody kinetics is not well characterized. We present an overview of the course of anti-HLA antibodies throughout plasma exchange (PE) desensitization in a series of crossmatch-positive patients.

Methods: All consecutive candidates in the Dutch HLA-incompatible kidney transplantation program between November 2012 and January 2022 were included.

Delayed Graft Function After Kidney Transplantation: The Role of Residual Diuresis and Waste Products, as Oxalic Acid and Its Precursors.

Delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation heralds a worse prognosis. In patients with hyperoxaluria, the incidence of DGF is high. Oxalic acid is a waste product that accumulates when kidney function decreases.

The Incidence of Antibody-Mediated Rejection Is Age-Related, Plateaus Late After Kidney Transplantation, and Contributes Little to Graft Loss in the Older Recipients.

It is not known whether antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is age-related, whether it plateaus late after transplantation, and to what extent it contributes to graft loss in older recipients. Patients transplanted between 2010 and 2015 ( = 1,054) in a single center had regular follow-up until January 2023. Recipients were divided into age groups at transplantation: 18-39 years ("young"), 40-55 years ("middle age"), and >55 years ("elderly").

Increasing Kidney-Exchange Options Within the Existing Living Donor Pool With CIAT: A Pilot Implementation Study.

Computerized integration of alternative transplantation programs (CIAT) is a kidney-exchange program that allows AB0- and/or HLA-incompatible allocation to difficult-to-match patients, thereby increasing their chances. Altruistic donors make this available for waiting list patients as well. Strict criteria were defined for selected highly-immunized (sHI) and long waiting (LW) candidates.

Ipsilateral Aorto-Iliac Calcification is Not Directly Associated With eGFR After Kidney Transplantation: A Prospective Cohort Study Analyzed Using a Linear Mixed Model.

Aorto-iliac calcification (AIC) is a well-studied risk factor for post-transplant cardiovascular events and mortality. Its effect on graft function remains unknown. The primary aim of this prospective cohort study was to assess the association between AIC and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the first year post-transplant.

Bariatric surgery before and after kidney transplant: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Obesity is becoming more prevalent in the end-stage renal disease population. Bariatric surgery (BS) is increasingly considered as an approach to become eligible for kidney transplant (KT) or reduce obesity-related morbidities.

Objectives: To assess the short- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent both BS and KT and to determine the optimal timing of BS.

Impact of measured versus estimated glomerular filtration rate-based screening on living kidney donor characteristics: A study of multiple cohorts.

Background: Most transplant centers in the Netherlands use estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for evaluation of potential living kidney donors. Whereas eGFR often underestimates GFR, especially in healthy donors, measured GFR (mGFR) allows more precise kidney function assessment, and therefore holds potential to increase the living donor pool. We hypothesized that mGFR-based donor screening leads to acceptance of donors with lower pre-donation eGFR than eGFR-based screening.

A Novel High-throughput Droplet Digital PCR-based Indel Quantification Method for the Detection of Circulating Donor-derived Cell-free DNA After Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Donor-derived cell-free DNA (ddcfDNA) is a promising minimally invasive biomarker for acute rejection (AR) in kidney transplant recipients. To assess the diagnostic value of ddcfDNA as a marker for AR, ddcfDNA was quantified at multiple time points after kidney transplantation with a novel high-throughput droplet digital PCR indel method that allowed for the absolute quantification of ddcfDNA.

Methods: In this study, ddcfDNA in plasma samples from 223 consecutive kidney transplant recipients was analyzed pretransplantation; at 3, 7, and 180 d after transplantation; and at time of for-cause biopsies obtained within the first 180 d after transplantation.

Early increase in single-kidney glomerular filtration rate after living kidney donation predicts long-term kidney function.

Single-kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increases after living kidney donation due to compensatory hyperfiltration and structural changes. The implications of inter-individual variability in this increase in single-kidney GFR are unknown. Here, we aimed to identify determinants of the increase in single-kidney GFR at three-month postdonation, and to investigate its relationship with long-term kidney function.

Risk of post-transplant cardiovascular events in kidney transplant recipients with preexisting aortoiliac stenosis.

Prediction of the risk of cardiovascular events (CVE's) is important to optimize outcomes after kidney transplantation. Aortoiliac stenosis is frequently observed during pre-transplant screening. We hypothesized that these patients are at higher risk of post-transplant CVE's due to the joint underlying atherosclerotic disease.

To screen or not to screen? The development of a prediction model for aorto-iliac stenosis in kidney transplant candidates.

Screening for aorto-iliac stenosis is important in kidney transplant candidates as its presence affects pre-transplantation decisions regarding side of implantation and the need for an additional vascular procedure. Reliable imaging techniques to identify this condition require contrast fluid, which can be harmful in these patients. To guide patient selection for these imaging techniques, we aimed to develop a prediction model for the presence of aorto-iliac stenosis.

Alemtuzumab as Second-Line Treatment for Late Antibody-Mediated Rejection of Transplanted Kidneys.

Whether the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab can be an effective treatment option for late antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is not known. In a single-center pilot study, 12 patients with late ABMR were given 30 mg subcutaneous alemtuzumab.Median time from transplantation to biopsy was 22 months with 10 of 12 recipients fulfilling criteria for the histologic diagnosis chronic-active ABMR.

Herpes Zoster in Solid Organ Transplantation: Incidence and Risk Factors.

Background: Studies on herpes zoster (HZ) incidence in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients report widely varying numbers. We investigated HZ incidence, severity, and risk factors in recipients of four different SOTs, with a follow-up time of 6-14 years.

Methods: Records of 1,033 transplant recipients after first heart (HTx: n = 211), lung (LuTx: n = 121), liver (LiTx: n = 258) and kidney (KTx: n = 443) transplantation between 2000 and 2014 were analyzed for VZV-PCR, clinical signs of HZ, and complications.

Delayed graft function and rejection are risk factors for cytomegalovirus breakthrough infection in kidney transplant recipients.

Breakthrough cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease during valganciclovir prophylaxis is rare but may cause significant morbidity and even mortality. In order to identify patients at increased risk the incidence of CMV disease was studied in a large population of renal transplant recipients who underwent a kidney transplantation in the Radboud University Medical Center between 2004 and 2015 (n = 1300). CMV disease occurred in 31/1300 patients.

Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Anti-thymocyte Globulin Treatment for Acute Kidney Allograft Rejection.

Rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) is currently the treatment of choice for glucocorticoid-resistant, recurrent, or severe acute allograft rejection (AR). However, rATG is associated with severe infusion-related side effects. Alemtuzumab is incidentally given to kidney transplant recipients as treatment for AR.

Creating Options for Difficult-to-match Kidney Transplant Candidates.

Background: Most transplantation centers recognize a small patient population that unsuccessfully participates in all available, both living and deceased donor, transplantation programs for many years: the difficult-to-match patients. This population consists of highly immunized and/or ABO blood group O or B patients.

Methods: To improve their chances, Computerized Integration of Alternative Transplantation programs (CIAT) were developed to integrate kidney paired donation, altruistic/unspecified donation, and ABO and HLA desensitization.

The prognosis of kidney transplant recipients with aorto-iliac calcification: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The prognosis of kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with vascular calcification (VC) in the aorto-iliac arteries is unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate their survival outcomes. Studies from January 1st, 2000 until March 5th, 2019 were included.

Systematic Surgical Assessment of Deceased-Donor Kidneys as a Predictor of Short-Term Transplant Outcomes.

Background: Short-term kidney graft dysfunction is correlated with complications and it is associated with a decreased long-term survival; therefore, a scoring system to predict short-term renal transplant outcomes is warranted.

Aim: The aim of this study is to quantify the impression of the organ procurement surgeon in correlation with the following kidney transplant outcomes: immediate graft function (IGF), delayed graft function (DGF), and primary nonfunction (PNF). Results are compared to factors associated with the 1-year outcome.

Oxalate deposition in renal allograft biopsies within 3 months after transplantation is associated with allograft dysfunction.

Background: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) deposition in the kidney may lead to loss of native renal function but little is known about the prevalence and role of CaOx deposition in transplanted kidneys.

Methods: In patients transplanted in 2014 and 2015, all for-cause renal allograft biopsies obtained within 3 months post-transplantation were retrospectively investigated for CaOx deposition. Additionally, all preimplantation renal biopsies obtained in 2000 and 2001 were studied.

Impact of Aortoiliac Stenosis on Graft and Patient Survival in Kidney Transplant Recipients Using the TASC II Classification.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease and aortoiliac stenosis are often considered ineligible for kidney transplantation, although kidney transplantation has been acknowledged as the best therapy for end-stage renal disease. The clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with aortoiliac stenosis are not well-studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of aortoiliac stenosis on graft and patient survival.

The Efficacy of Rabbit Anti-Thymocyte Globulin for Acute Kidney Transplant Rejection in Patients Using Calcineurin Inhibitor and Mycophenolate Mofetil-Based Immunosuppressive Therapy.

BACKGROUND T cell depleting antibody therapy with rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) is the treatment of choice for glucocorticoid-resistant acute kidney allograft rejection (AR) and is used as first-line therapy in severe AR. Almost all studies investigating the effectiveness of rATG for this indication were conducted at the time when cyclosporine A and azathioprine were the standard of care. Here, the long-term outcome of rATG for AR in patients using the current standard immunosuppressive therapy (i.

Antegrade Balloon Dilatation as a Treatment Option for Posttransplant Ureteral Strictures: Case Series of 50 Patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of antegrade balloon dilatation on ureteral strictures that developed after kidney transplant.

Materials And Methods: The hospital databases of the Erasmus Medical Center (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) and the Academic Medical Center (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) were retrospectively screened for patients who underwent balloon dilatation after kidney transplant. Balloon dilatation was technically successful whenever it was able to pass the strictured segment with the guidewire followed by balloon inflation; the procedure was clinically successful if no further interventions (for example, surgical revision of the ureteroneocystostomy or prolonged double J placement) were necessary.