Rabbit-Derived Drug Prevents Kidney Transplant Rejection
A study headed by Daniel C. Brennan, MD, director of
transplant nephrology at Washington University School of Medicine and medical director of
kidney transplant at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, shows that using a rabbit-derived drug to prevent acute rejection of donated kidneys can reap long-term benefits.
The research describes a multi-center, international clinical trial comparing two “induction agents,” drugs given to kidney transplant patients who have received donor organs from deceased donors.
The agents are given during the first several days after surgery in order to avoid delayed functioning of the organ and to prevent acute rejection.