TRANSPLANT ROUNDS: Test your knowledge of induction agents!

To test your knowledge of induction agents in kidney transplantation, we invite you to complete the following matching quiz. The answers will be posted early next week.

Match the following induction agents with the description that best matches their profile. One description will not be used.

Alemtuzumab	A. This anti CD25 human/ mouse chimeric antibody is almost devoid of side effects. It does not increase the risk for malignancies or infections.
Rituximab	B. This antibody has been used in a recent trial to facilitate positive crossmatch transplantation in living donors by blocking the effector pathway of antibody mediated allograft injury.
Thymoglobulin	C. This agent is used to treat antibody mediated rejection and as induction in sensitized individuals. It decreased the production of anti-HLA antibodies by targeting the CD 20 receptor on B cells and plasma cells.
Daclizumab	D. This antibody targets CD 52. It is FDA approved for the treatment of CLL. It is often used in minimization protocols for kidney transplantation.
Basiliximab	E. This agent when used as an induction agent may increase the risk of cellular rejection.
Atgam	F. This polyclonal antibody preparation targets many different receptors on T cells. It increases the risk of PTLD, and CMV compared to no induction or anti-CD25 induction. However, it has been shown to be a superior agent in reducing rejection episodes and prolonging graft survival especially in high risk individuals.
OK3T	G. This polyclonal antibody preparation came from horses. It has since been largely replaced by another polyclonal T cell preparation.
Eculizumab	H. This agent was a humanized monoclonal antibody that targeted the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor of T-cells. The manufacturer discontinued its use in January 2009.
	I. This monoclonal antibody against the T-cell receptor was the first such antibody used for any clinical indication in the United States. Its current use has been minimized due to severe adverse reactions including serum sickness and pulmonary edema.

Answers soon to follow! Stay tuned.