Emerging role of Alemtuzumab in renal and renal–pancreas transplantation

BACKGROUND: Alemtuzumab is a humanized anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody that is increasingly used in solid organ transplantation. OBJECTIVE: The novel mechanism by which alemtuzumab works was used to provide an understanding of its clinical efficacy and adverse effects. METHODS: Human studies of alemtuzumab in adult renal and pancreas transplantation were reviewed. These studies looked at the role of alemtuzumab as a tolerogenic and induction agent as well as its role in the treatment of acute rejection. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Overall, alemtuzumab induction resulted in patient and graft outcomes comparable to other induction strategies but studies failed to show development of true tolerance. Economic benefit is a major attraction for alemtuzumab use. Future studies will further identify the optimal use of alemtuzumab.