Prophylactic OKT3 and cadaveric renal transplantation at a single center

The effectiveness of prophylactic OKT3 when compared to a standard triple‐drug (cyclosporine, azathioprine, prednisone) regimen to decrease the number and severity of rejection episodes, ATN, and to improve the quantitative and qualitative allograft function in cadaver renal transplantation was studied. The patients with no. single, or multiple rejection episodes were significantly different between the groups, with the majority of the OKT3 patients having none or a single rejection episode (χ2 = 3.86 p < 0.05). The quantitative allograft function was not different between the groups. However, the OKT3 patients had a better qualitative function at all time periods with a mean serum creatinine of 1.5 ± 0.3 in the OKT3 arm and 2.5 ± 1.2 in the standard arm at 1 year. Eighty percent of patients with PRA > 50%. treated with OKT3, and followed for at least 1 yr had functioning allografts with excellent serum creatinines. The prophylactic use of OKT3 did not increase infectious complications. The ATN rate and duration was similar between groups. Antimouse antibody production after the initial course of OKT3 was similar. No patients needing retreatment with OKT3 were prevented from receving this therapy because of previous antibody production.