Bortezomib in chronic active antibody-mediated rejection: a single center experience

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bortezomib in kidney transplant recipients with chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (cABMR). Methods A retrospective study wad conducted in patients(n=136)fulfilling the Banff 2017 criteria for cABMR from January 2004 to July 2017, including 29 patients bortezomib group and 97 patients in control group. Identified cABMR patients were dichotomized into bortezomib and control groups with a 1∶1 match using the propensity score matching method. The primary outcome was initiation of replacement therapy or an estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)declined to <15 ml·min-1·(1.73m2)-1. The prognosis and adverse reactions of two groups were analyzed and evaluated. Results No significant inter-group differences existed in age, sex ratio, immunosuppressive regimen, allograft age, serum creatinine, eGFR, urine protein, serum albumin, hemoglobin or HCV positive rate(all P>0.05). There were no significant inter-group differences in Banff scores (g, i, t, v, ah, mm, ci, ct, cv, ptc, c4d, all P>0.05). The median survival for bortezomib group and control group was 40.7 months and 36.9 months respectively. No statistically significant difference in graft survival between the two groups was observed(P=0.83), even after propensity score adjustment(P=0.29). The incidence of nausea, diarrhea and thrombocytopenia in bortezomib group was higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Bortezomib does not seem to improve the prognosis of cABMR while is associated with higher incidence of adverse reactions. Key words: Kidney transplantation; Graft rejection; Prognosis; Adverse reaction