OKT3 MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY TREATMENT OF STEROID-RESISTANT LIVER-TRANSPLANT REJECTION

Since the initial report of the use of murine monoclonal antibody OKT3 for treatment of acute renal rejection, a significant body of informa tion has been collected regarding the efficacy of OKT3 in reversing ac ute rejections in kidney, liver, and cardiac transplant recipients. Th is study retrospectively analyzes the efficacy of OKT3 therapy for the treatment of steroid-resistant hepatic rejection. Treatment with OKT3 reversed acute hepatic rejection in 109 (83%) of 131 patients. Comple te reversal was achieved in 59 (45%) of 131 patients and partial rever sal in 50 (38%) of 131 patients. At 1 year, graft and patient survival were 72% and 69%, respectively. No significant differences were noted in reversal rate and in 12-month graft and patient survival rates bet ween patients experiencing one rejection episode and those experiencin g two or more rejection episodes. As expected, adverse events were com mon in the first days of therapy but were well tolerated in most patie nts.