Is There a Role for Desensitization in Intestinal Transplantation?. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santeusanio, Andrew D.; Moon, Jang; Nair, Vinay; Iyer, Kishore R.
• Is Part Of: Progress in transplantation. Volume 29:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 278
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: immunologic desensitization -- bortezomib -- intestinal transplantation -- graft survival; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; Transplantation; Organ Procurement; Tissue Donors; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 362.1783
• DOI: 10.1177/1526924819855088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-9248

Abstract

Human leukocyte antigen allosensitization prior to transplant can increase the risk of early graft loss and prolong waitlist times for intestinal transplant candidates. Desensitization offers a potential therapeutic option to reduce the quantity of preformed antibodies prior to organ allocation and facilitate transplantation with a more immunologically compatible donor allograft. However, there remains a paucity of data to guide the use of desensitization in the setting of intestinal transplantation. As a result, in this review we evaluate the existing literature supporting the role of desensitization therapy in intestinal transplant, describe our own experience with the implementation of a risk-stratified desensitization protocol, and finally explore barriers and unanswered questions that continue to limit the widespread adoption of desensitization as a management strategy for highly sensitized intestinal transplant candidates.