Induction versus noninduction therapy in kidney transplantation: considering different PRA levels and different induction therapies.

To evaluate the rate of acute cellular rejection (ACR) and long-term results in different levels of anti-HLA sensitization, using noninduction or different induction therapies, 763 patients who underwent transplantation from January 1995 to December 2001 were evaluated: 213 patients received induction therapy, 71 received Thymoglobulin (Thymo), 66 Simulect, and 44 OKT3. Follow-up time was at least 1 year for all groups. The Simulect group included older recipients and the OKT3 group had more female patients. Simulect and OKT3 groups had more black patients; Thymo and OKT3 groups had more retransplantations. PRA was low in the noninduction group (mean, 7%) and about the same in the Simulect and Thymo groups (mean, 30%). OKT3 was the most sensitized group (mean = 59%). Dialysis during the first posttransplantation week was more frequent among the induction groups (43% vs 65%; P <.005). Fewer patients experienced rejection episodes in the Thymo group (20% vs 50%; P =.02). Patients were classified according to their level of sensitization, and the Thymo group showed the lower rejection rates in all levels (mean, 20%; P =.001). When analyzing PRA >50%, the Thymo group showed lower rejection rates (12% vs 50%; P =.02). At this level of sensitization, there was no significant difference on graft loss and death with a functioning graft. There was a trend to more cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in the Thymo group (33% vs 23%; P =.08). Two PTLD were diagnosed, both in the noninduction group. Renal function was better in the Thymo group (1.3 mg/dL). In conclusion, Thymo showed lower ACR rates in all PRA groups. No significant differences in CMV infection, tumors, and patient survival were observed.