Iguratimod reduces panel reactive antibody in high mismatched renal transplant recipients: One single-center experience

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of iguratimod (IGU) for reducing panel reactive antibody (PRA) in high-mismatched renal transplant recipients.

Methods: Eligible recipients positive for PRAs who received or did not receive IGU treatment were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed, collected, and analyzed statistically the clinical data of the recipients.

Results: A total of 80 recipients were included for further analysis. After IGU was administered for 9 months, no significant difference was found in the change rates of donor specific antibodies between two groups. Meanwhile, the reduction in the PRAs in the IGU group was greater than that in the non-IGU group in anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II, anti-HLA class I, anti-HLA class II, anti-HLA A, and anti-HLA DR antibodies. However, no differences were found in the anti-HLA B, anti-HLA Cw, anti-HLA DP, and anti-HLA DQ antibodies between the two groups. No serious adverse events were reported, and the incidence of adverse events was comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion: PRA levels in high-mismatched renal transplant recipients were significantly reduced after the administration of IGU. The high safety of IGU was also determined.