Desensitization of Highly Sensitized Deceased Donor Renal Transplantation Candidates
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2011-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Some patients who need kidney transplants have high levels of antibodies that make them
incompatible with most potential deceased donor kidney offers. These patients are considered
highly-sensitized and are very difficult to transplant because the likelihood that they will
receive a compatible organ is very low. There are some medications and procedures that can
decrease the antibody levels and this can increase the chance of finding a compatible donor
for these patients. In this study the investigators will give two medications (IVIg and
Rituximab) to highly-sensitized patients who are on the waiting list for a deceased donor
kidney transplant. After the investigators administer these medications, the investigators
will continue to check for compatibility as organ offers are received. If a compatible organ
offer is received, the investigators will perform the transplant using that organ. The
investigators hypothesize that these medications will lower antibody levels and increase the
chance that a these patients are able to receive a compatible kidney transplant.