Induced Immune Tolerance for Kidney Transplantation

Abstract

To the Editor: Recipients of kidney transplants require the lifelong use of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent graft rejection, but immunosuppressive medications are associated with cumulative side effects, including increased risks of heart disease, infection, cancer, and diabetes.1 Despite maintenance immunosuppression, chronic rejection results in gradual long-term graft loss.1 Eliminating the lifelong need for immunosuppressive medications that result in freedom from rejection remains an elusive and important goal. The induction of immune tolerance achieved this goal in pilot clinical studies based on preclinical models of combined organ and hematopoietic-cell transplantation.2?5 In the current proof-of-concept study, 12 patients who received HLA-matched . . .