Basiliximab

Abstract

▴ The chimaeric monoclonal antibody basiliximab specifically binds the a subunit of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor on activated T lymphocytes. Through competitive antagonism of IL-2, basiliximab supplements standard immunosuppressive therapy after renal transplantation. ▴ ≤24 hours after a single intravenous dose of basiliximab 2.5 to 25mg, ≈90% of available IL-2 receptors on T lymphocytes were complexed with the drug. This level of basiliximab binding was maintained for 4 to 6 weeks when renal transplant patients received basiliximab 20mg 2 hours before and then 4 days after transplantation surgery. ▴ In 2 large, well-designed trials, the percentage of patients with biopsy-confirmed acute rejection episodes after renal transplantation was significantly lower with basiliximab 20mg (administered 2 hours before and then 4 days after transplantation surgery; 30 or 33%, respectively) than placebo (44 or 46%) at 6 months after surgery. ▴ Basiliximab was well tolerated during clinical trials. The incidence of infections (including active cytomegalovirus infection) and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders was similar with basiliximab and placebo. Cytokine release syndrome was not observed in patients who received basiliximab.