A prospective study on the use of monoclonal anti-T3-cell antibody (OKT3) to treat steroid-resistant liver transplant rejection

J. O. Colonna 2nd, L. I. Goldstein, J. J. Brems, J. H. Vargas, J. E. Brill, W. J. Berquist, J. R. Hiatt and R. W. Busuttil
Department of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine.

Conventional treatment of acute liver allograft rejection has included high doses of corticosteroids and antithymocyte globulin. Urgent retransplantation was the only option for patients who failed to respond. We report our initial experience with the use of monoclonal anti-T3-cell antibody (OKT3) in 25 patients with acute hepatic allograft rejection that was resistant to steroid and/or antithymocyte globulin therapy. Twenty-four of 25 patients had a response to OKT3, which was complete in 14 and partial in ten. With a mean follow-up of 8.2 months, allograft salvage has been 80% and patient survival 88%; two patients underwent successful retransplantation. Side effects have been mild and well tolerated. Repeated rejection has occurred in 40% of patients, but these episodes have responded to steroid therapy. We conclude that OKT3 is well tolerated and highly effective in reversing severe episodes of acute hepatic allograft rejection that is resistant to high-dose steroid therapy.