The human body sometimes rejects transplanted kidney due to antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). It is very common and causes kidney transplant failure. This does not even have any effective treatment to reduce this risk. But researchers from the Clinical Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III at MedUni Vienna and University Hospital Vienna revealed that felzartamab prevents the risk of kidney transplant failure effectively. Felzartamab is a monoclonal antibody that destroys tumour cells in the bone marrow. Â
This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In this study, researchers involved 22 people who had AMR after a kidney transplantation. They divided them into two groups such as the felzartamab and the placebo group. The felzartamab group was consisted of 11 people who took the felzartamab drug. On the other hand, the placebo group consisted of 11 people who took placebo pills. They took these medications for six months. Then researchers tracked them for the next 6 months. Â
When researchers analyzed the kidney biopsies of these people, they found that felzartamab drug was effective and safe for people who had AMR. This finding is very important as in Austria, 330 people get kidney transplant every year and AMR is a frequent complication. This usually happens when the recipient’s immune system attacks the transplanted organ and increases the risk of other complications. In this situation, patients need proper treatment and dialysis.Â
This was phase II and showed that felzartamab is effective and can prevent the rejection of other transplanted organs such as hearts or lungs. But researchers feel they need to conduct a phase III study to start using it. The result of this study clearly shows that felzartamab can effectively prevent antibody-mediated rejection. So, healthcare professionals can use this for people who need kidney transplants. They should make some effective strategies to reduce the risk of AMR. It will increase the success rate of kidney transplantation and save many lives. Â
Reference Link:Â
Katharina A. Mayer et al, A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Felzartamab in Antibody-Mediated Rejection, New England Journal of Medicine (2024). Â
