Anti-TNF Alpha Therapy: A Novel Okt3-Sparing Immunosuppressive Principle For Steroid-Resistant Severe Acute Rejection After Intestinal Transplantation

Aims: The experience with the rescue treatment of OKT3-resistant rejection and the OKT3-sparing application of anti- TNF alpha therapy using a monoclonal chimeric anti-TNF alpha antibody is presented. Methods: Intestinal transplantation (ITx) was performed in 13 adult patients for irreversible short bowel syndrome. Four patients received an infliximab-rescue therapy (chimeric monoclonal anti-TNF alpha antibody; approx. 3mg/kg body weight (BW)) for steroid- resistant (n=2) and OKT3–resistant (n=2) rejection in an individually tailored pattern according to pharmacodynamic monitoring of serum TNF alpha and LPS-bind…