Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab in renal transplant recipients treated with induction therapy. Methods Eighty-nine cadaveric renal transplant recipients in our department were randomly divided into experimental group (n = 43) treated with alemtuzumab induction, 15 mg i. v. and control group (n = 46). Main immunosuppressive therapy regimen consisted of steroids, tacrolimus or cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil in all recipients. Post-transplant kidney function, acute rejection,infection, DGF, graft survival, lymphocyte counts were recorded within 1 year. ATP values in CD4+ T cells after transplantation was determined by using Cylex ImmuKnow assay. Results There was significant difference in the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection, but no significant difference was found in ImmuKnow ATP values during 6 months after transplantation and lymphocyte counts during 3 months, graft survival and the incidence of infections between the two groups. Conclusion Induction therapy with alemtuzumab appeared to be effective in the prevention of acute rejection.