Transplantation Direct (Jul 2022)

Belatacept Treatment of Recurrent Late-onset T Cell–mediated Rejection/Antibody-mediated Rejection With De Novo Donor-specific Antibodies in a Liver Transplant Patient

  • Göran B. Klintmalm, MD, PhD,
  • James F. Trotter, MD,
  • Anthony Demetris, MD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/TXD.0000000000001076
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 7
p. e1076

Abstract

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Background. T cell–mediated rejection that appears and persists late after transplantation is often associated with development of de novo donor-specific antibodies. Treatment of this condition often presents a conundrum because of the uncertainty regarding the trade-off between immunosuppression-related toxicities/complications and restoration of allograft function and structure. Methods. Herein, we report an illustrative case of a young 20-y-old otherwise healthy woman who underwent liver replacement for Alagille’s syndrome from an ABO-compatible, 6 antigen-mismatched crossmatch-negative 24-y-old man. Although triple baseline immunosuppression was used (tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone), she developed rejection 3 d after liver replacement. Despite verified continual immunosuppression compliance, 1.5 y after liver replacement she experienced 6 more rejection episodes over the following 18 mo and development of de novo donor-specific antibody. Results. Treatment with belatacept began 3.5 y after transplantation, normalizing her liver tests with no further rejections. A biopsy obtained 6 y after transplantation (postoperative day 2221) was normal, appearing without inflammation or residual fibrosis. Conclusions. Belatacept may be a useful treatment approach in this setting.