Improvement in cyclosporine handling by anti-lymphocyte globulin in the early post-operative period.

Abstract

The value of prophylactic anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG) treatment after transplantation was examined in a prospectively randomised study. The control group was treated with azathioprine and steroids only. In a third group prophylactic ALG combined with azathioprine and steroids was given for 8.7 +/- 2.25 days after transplantation and was then replaced by cyclosporine and steroids. Renal graft survival rates could be improved if the conventional immunosuppression was accompanied by ALG prophylaxis. However, additional cyclosporine treatment proved to be desirable since in this way the number of early acute rejection episodes could be further reduced.