Antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplantation: a single-center experience in the diagnosis and treatment
10.3760/cma.j.cn421203-20240605-00140
- VernacularTitle:肺移植术后抗体介导排斥反应的单中心诊治体会
- Author:
Li ZHAO
1
;
Lijuan GUO
;
Bin XING
;
Chaoyang LIANG
;
Wenhui CHEN
Author Information
1. 国家呼吸医学中心，呼吸和共病全国重点实验室，国家呼吸疾病临床研究中心，中国医学科学院呼吸病学研究院，中日友好医院呼吸中心，中日友好医院肺移植科，北京 100029
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Lung transplantation;
Antibody mediated rejection;
Plasma exchange;
Human leukocyte antigen
- From:
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation
2025;46(4):280-291
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with antibody mediated rejection (AMR) after lung transplantation at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, thereby providing references for clinical management.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted by collecting clinical data of 34 lung transplant recipients (LTRs) diagnosed with AMR between March 2017 and September 2023. The diagnosis of AMR was based on the 2019 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) consensus. Baseline characteristics, primary diseases, pre-diagnostic events, diagnosis, treatment regimens, and outcomes were summarized and analyzed. According to outcomes at the final follow-up (March 31, 2024), patients were divided into survival group (22 cases) and death group (12 cases), and the differences in clinical characteristics and treatments were compared.Results:The incidence of AMR among 551 LTRs was 6.2% (34/551). Among the 34 AMR recipients, 79.4% (27/34) were male, and the median age was 64.0 (54.5, 67.3) years. The primary underlying disease was interstitial lung disease (79.4%). Based on diagnostic classification, 73.5%(25/34) were clinical AMR and 26.5% (9/34) were subclinical AMR. Regarding diagnostic levels, 11.8%(4/34) were proven AMR, 50.0% (17/34) probable AMR, and 38.2%(13/34) possible AMR. Pre-transplant sensitization was detected in 2 patients (5.9%). Post-transplant HLA antibody testing revealed 79.4%(27/34) positive for HLA class Ⅱ antibodies (most commonly DQ7) and 85.3%(29/34) had newly developed HLA antibodies, of which 82.4%(28/34) were de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSA). The most common clinical manifestations were exertional dyspnea(67.6%) and decreased pulse oxygen saturation(47.1%). Chest imaging mainly showed new consolidations or patchy opacities (55.9%), followed by ground-glass opacities (32.4%) and pleural effusion (20.6%). Regarding treatment, 94.1% (32/34) received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), 88.2%(30/34) underwent plasma exchange, and 41.2%(14/34) received intravenous glucocorticoid (IVGC). The most common regimens were "plasma exchange+IVIG" and "IVGC+plasma exchange+IVIG+rituximab", each used in 23.5%(8/34) of cases. The complete HLA antibody clearance rate after treatment was 38.2%. The mortality rates at 3 months, 1 year, and final follow-up after AMR diagnosis were 8.8%, 23.5%, and 35.3%, respectively, with a median survival time of 243.0(96.3, 572.3) days. The survival group had a significantly higher rate of tacrolimus-based triple immunosuppressive therapy (glucocorticoid+tacrolimus+mycophenolate moftil) compared to the death group [86.4% (19/22) vs 50.0% (6/12), P=0.040], while rituximab usage was higher in the death group [75.0% (9/12) vs 13.6% (3/22), P=0.008]. Conclusions:Although AMR after lung transplantation is relatively rare, its diagnosis is challenging, antibody clearance rate after treatment is low, and clinical outcomes are poor, requiring heightened clinical vigilance.
