Publications by authors named "Stefan Holtz"
Donor-transmitted malignancy is a rare and often fatal complication of organ transplantation. We report a case of a 55-year old male kidney transplant recipient who was diagnosed with stage-IV donor-transmitted melanoma 5 months after transplantation with metastases in the liver, spleen, lung, and brain. Immunosuppression was discontinued, and encorafenib and binimetinib, inhibitors of a serine/threonine B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) respectively, were started.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Gene therapies based on adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are a therapeutic option to successfully treat monogenetic diseases. However, the influence of pre-existing immunity to AAV can compromise the application of AAV gene therapy, most notably by the presence of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) to AAV.
Methods: In the following study, we investigated to what extent the treatment by immunoadsorption (IA) would reduce the levels of human anti-AAV antibodies to AAV2 and AAV5.
Background: The Toray Filtryzer™-NF is a new polymethyl methacrylate filter with improved hemocompatibility and reduced impact on platelet counts.
Objectives: This suggests that, if necessary, a reduction in anticoagulation may be possible when dialysis is performed with the Toray Filtryzer™-NF.
Methods: In the following, we dialyzed 5 hemodialysis patients who had a contraindication to full anticoagulation postoperatively or after renal biopsy with the Filtryzer™-NF.
Background: ADVanced Organ Support (ADVOS) is a novel type of extracorporeal albumin dialysis that supports multiorgan function in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). No data exist on whether ADVOS affects inflammatory cytokine levels, which play a relevant role in ACLF. Aim: Our aim was to quantify cytokine levels both before and after a single ADVOS treatment in patients with ACLF at a regular dialysis ward.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Hemodialysis patients (HDP) and kidney transplant recipients (KTR) are at a higher risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of vaccination despite potential immune response impairments.
- A study compared the immune responses to the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine among 192 HDPs, 50 KTRs, and 28 healthy controls (HC) over 6 months post-vaccination.
- Results showed that while 97.5% of HDPs had an antibody response, their levels were significantly lower than those of HCs, and KTRs exhibited very poor immune responses, suggesting the need for alternative vaccination strategies alongside boosters.
Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and immunoadsorption (IA) are first or second line treatment options in patients with neurological autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMSOD), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (Guillain-Barré syndrome), and autoimmune encephalitis.
Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled monocentric study, we assessed safety and efficacy of therapy with IA or TPE in patients with neurological autoimmune diseases. Treatment response was assessed using various neurological scores as well by measuring immunoglobulin and cytokine concentrations.
Antibodies against THSD7A (thrombospondin type 1 domain-containing protein 7A) have been proposed to play a causal role in the development of nephrotic syndrome in patients with THSD7A antibody-positive membranous nephropathy. We hypothesized that removal of these antibodies from plasma could lead to a rapid reduction in proteinuria. Using immunoadsorption to reduce THSD7A antibodies led to a rapid reduction in proteinuria in 2 patients with THSD7A antibody-positive membranous nephropathy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF