SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION FROM CONVENTIONAL IMMUNOSUPPRESSION TO ANTI-CD154 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY COSTIMULATORY MOLECULE BLOCKADE IN RHESUS RENAL ALLOGRAFT RECIPIENTS1,2

Abstract

Renal allograft recipients can be successfully converted to CD154 blockade monotherapy after 60 days of conventional immunosuppression. An induction phase of anti-CD154 mAb appears to be necessary for optimal conversion. Therefore, although concurrent administration of conventional immunosuppressive agents including steroids and calcineurin inhibitors has been shown to inhibit the efficacy of CD154 blockade, sequential conversion from these agents to CD154 blockade appears to be effective.