Imlifidase: Is it the Magic Wand in Renal Transplantation?

Abstract

Potential kidney transplant patients with HLA-specific antibodies have reduced access to transplantation. Their harmful effects are mediated by the Fc portion of IgG, including activation of the complement system and Fc receptor-initiated cytotoxic processes by circulating leucocytes. Avoiding antibody incompatibility is the conventional approach, but for some patients this can mean extended waiting times, or even no chance of a transplant if there are no alternative, compatible donors. For these cases, pretransplant antibody removal may provide access to transplantation. Plasmapheresis is currently used to achieve this, with acceptable outcome results, but the process can take days to reduce the antibody levels to a safe level, so has limited use for deceased donors. There is now an alternative, in the form of an IgG-digesting enzyme, Imlifidase, which can be administered for in vivo IgG inactivation. Imlifidase cleaves human IgG, separating the antigen-binding part, F(ab')₂ from Fc. Typically, within six hours of dosing, most, if not all, of the circulating IgG has been inactivated, allowing safe transplantation from a previously incompatible donor. For deceased donor transplantation, where minimizing cold ischaemia is critical, this six-hour delay before implantation should be manageable, with the compatibility testing processes adjusted to accommodate the treatment. This agent has been used successfully in phase 2 clinical trials, with good short to medium term outcomes. While a donation rate that matches demand may be one essential answer to providing universal access to kidney transplantation, this is currently unrealistic. IgG inactivation, using Imlifidase, is, however, a realistic and proven alternative.