Cytokine Release After Treatment With Rituximab in Renal Transplant Recipients.
Kamburova E, van den Hoogen MWF, et al.Transplantation 2015 Sep;99(9):1907-11
Aims
To measure the release of various cytokines after administration of rituximab to renal transplant recipients. The mechanism of cytokine release was also studied.
Interventions
Rituximab (375 mg/m2) or placebo.
Participants
Twenty renal transplant recipients.
Outcomes
Cytokine concentrations.
Follow-up
24 hours.
CET Conclusions
Renal transplant recipients were randomised to receive rituximab infusion alongside standard immune suppression compared to placebo supplemented standard immune suppression. The infusion of rituximab was shown to cause elevated IL-10 and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein (MIP)-1Beta levels in the serum of patients at 2 hours into the four hour infusion. MIP-1Beta was produced by NK cells, but only if co-cultured with B-Cells. The MIP-1Beta secretion was shown to be FC receptor dependent. Rituximab infusion did not increase secretion of the following cytokines: IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-gamma, TGF-Beta and TNF-alpha. The authors go on to explore the clinical relevance of this profile of cytokines, citing studies to support both down-modulation and induction of immune reactivity.
Data analysis
Per protocol analysis
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov -NCT00565331.