Patients' representations of their end-stage renal disease: relation with mortality.

BACKGROUND: Self-regulation theory explains how patients' illness perceptions influence self-management behaviour (e.g. via adherence to treatment). Following these assumptions, we explored whether illness perceptions of ESRD-patients are related to mortality rates. METHODS: Illness perceptions of 182 patients participating in the NECOSAD-2 study in the period between December 2004 and June 2005 were assessed. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate whether subsequent all-cause mortality could be attributed to illness perception dimensions. RESULTS: One-third of the participants had died at the end of the follow-up. Mortality rates were higher among patients who believed that their treatment was less effective in controlling their disease (perceived treatment control; RR = 0.71, P = 0.028). This effect remained stable after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables (RR = 0.65, P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: If we consider risk factors for mortality, we tend to rely on clinical parameters rather than on patients' representations of their illness. Nevertheless, results from the current exploration may suggest that addressing patients' personal beliefs regarding the effectiveness of treatment can provide a powerful tool for predicting and perhaps even enhancing survival.

In vivo effects of IgA and IgG2a anti-CD3 isotype switch variants.

Side effects after the first administration of OKT3, a murine anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the IgG2a class, are largely attributed to the release of cytokines as a result of T cell activation caused by interaction with Fc receptors (FcR) on human monocytes. As human monocytes possess FcR for murine IgG2a but not for IgA, it is expected that an anti-CD3 mAb of the IgA class causes less side-effects than an IgG2a anti-CD3 mAb of the same idiotype. To test this hypothesis we treated 20 renal transplant patients prophylactically with either IgG2a or IgA anti-CD3 mAb in a prospective randomized double-blind study. The patients received 0.5 mg anti-CD3 mAb, either IgA (T3.A) or IgG2a (T3.G2a), twice daily during 10 d. Rejection incidence after T3.A and T3.G2a was not significantly different. Side effects score after the first administration of mAb was significantly less after T3.A than after T3.G2a (0.7 vs 2.7, P = 0.002). IL-6 and gamma IFN levels increased significantly at 3 h after T3.G2a, but not after T3.A. The TNF peak level occurring at 1 h after T3.A was much lower than after T3.G2a. In plasma, complement and neutrophil activation products only increased after T3.G2a and not after T3.A. Both T3.A and T3.G2a resulted in a complete depletion of CD3+ cells, but after T3.A, CD3 depletion was of shorter duration than after IgG2a. Finally, in contrast to T3.G2a, T3.A did not affect coagulation and fibrinolysis. In conclusion, an anti-CD3 mAb of the IgA class causes hardly any cytokine release and less side-effects as compared with its IgG2a switch variant. Provided T3.A is sufficiently immunosuppressive, it is superior to OKT3.

Safety and long-term effects of renal denervation: Rationale and design of the Dutch registry.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous renal denervation (RDN) has recently been introduced as a treatment for therapy-resistant hypertension. Also, it has been suggested that RDN may be beneficial for other conditions characterised by increased sympathetic nerve activity. There are still many uncertainties with regard to efficacy, safety, predictors for success and long-term effects. To answer these important questions, we initiated a Dutch RDN registry aiming to collect data from all RDN procedures performed in the Netherlands. METHODS: The Dutch RDN registry is an ongoing investigator-initiated, prospective, multicentre cohort study. Twenty-six Dutch hospitals agreed to participate in this registry. All patients who undergo RDN, regardless of the clinical indication or device that is used, will be included. Data are currently being collected on eligibility and screening, treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: Procedures have been performed since August 2010. At present, data from 306 patients have been entered into the database. The main indication for RDN was hypertension (n = 302, 99%). Patients had a mean office blood pressure of 177/100 (±29/16) mmHg with a median use of three (range 0-8) blood pressure lowering drugs. Mean 24-hour blood pressure before RDN was 157/93 (±18/13) mmHg. RDN was performed with different devices, with the Simplicity™ catheter currently used most frequently. CONCLUSION: Here we report on the rationale and design of the Dutch RDN registry. Enrolment in this investigator-initiated study is ongoing. We present baseline characteristics of the first 306 participants.

Sequestration of labelled granulocytes in the lungs following administration of OKT3 is dose-dependent.

In the present study the consequences of administration of low-dose (0.5 mg) OKT3 for respiratory side-effects and pulmonary sequestration of labelled granulocytes are compared with the known effects of 5 mg OKT3. Ten renal transplant patients were studied, of whom five were treated with 0.5 mg OKT3 and five with 5 mg OKT3. None of the patients in the 0.5 mg group and two of the patients in the 5 mg group experienced dyspnoea. Sequestration of labelled granulocytes in the lungs was significantly lower in the patients receiving 0.5 mg OKT3 compared with the patients receiving 5 mg OKT3. The simultaneously occurring peripheral blood granulocytopenia was significantly more severe in the 5 mg group than in the 0.5 mg group. We suppose that this sequestration of circulating granulocytes in the lungs is at least partly mediated by complement activation products. In vitro it is demonstrated that fixation of complement activation products on peripheral blood lymphocytes depends on the concentration of OKT3 present in the culture medium. We conclude that respiratory side-effects shortly following infusion of OKT3 are related to complement-induced pulmonary leucostasis, the degree of which is dependent on the administered dose of OKT3.

Guidelines for the optimal use of muromonab CD3 in transplantation.

Muromonab CD3 (OKT3), the murine anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the IgG-2a class, directed against the CD3 molecule on the surface of human T cells, has proven to be a powerful immunosuppressive agent in solid organ transplantation and has been shown to be superior to high-dose steroids as first-line treatment of acute allograft rejection. It is comparable to antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in treating steroid-resistant rejection and it is also effective as rescue treatment in ATG-resistant rejection. However, OKT3 treatment is followed by a substantial percentage of re-rejections, most of which respond well to steroids. In the early post-transplant period, a prophylactic course of OKT3 can delay the onset of acute rejection, in particular in immunologically high-risk patients. First-dose-related adverse effects (pyrexia, dyspnoea, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea) of OKT3 are severe, but usually transient and seldom life-threatening, provided overhydration has been corrected and steroids have been given before the first administration. These adverse effects are partly attributed to the release of cytokines as a result of mononuclear cell activation. In addition, complement activation and subsequent activation of neutrophils may play a role in their pathogenesis. After exposure of patients to OKT3 an increased incidence of infections and malignancies has been reported. However, most likely this merely reflects the total burden of immunosuppression. Xenosensitisation represents an important limitation to OKT3 treatment, although a second or third course can still be effective in patients with low antibody titres. In practice, the initiation of OKT3 treatment should be preceded by correction of overhydration, if necessary by means of dialysis or ultrafiltration. According to the instructions from the manufacturer the first dose of OKT3 is preceded by paracetamol (acetaminophen), an antihistamine and intravenous (IV) corticosteroids, in an attempt to mitigate the first dose-related symptoms. A regimen consisting of administration of 2 IV doses of 250mg methylprednisolone, given 6 hours and 1 hour before the first OKT3 injection, followed by a 2-hour infusion of OKT3, is most effective in diminishing OKT3-induced adverse effects.

Monoclonal antibodies in renal transplantation: a review.

OKT3 is the first anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody available for treatment in humans. Over the last few years it has proven to be a very powerful immunosuppressive agent in renal transplantation. Clinical studies have shown that OKT3 is superior to high-dose steroids as first-line treatment for acute renal allograft rejection. Furthermore, it is comparable to antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in treating steroid-resistant rejection and is also effective as rescue treatment in ATG- and antilymphocyte globulin-(ALG-) resistant rejection. Despite its excellent rejection-reversal rate, OKT3 treatment is followed by a substantial percentage of re-rejections, most of which respond well to steroids. In the early post-transplantation period, a prophylactic course of OKT3 is very effective in preventing acute rejections, and in this respect it is probably equivalent to ATG. Indirect evidence exists that a prophylactic course of OKT3 may be beneficial in immunologically high-risk patients and in patients with delayed graft function. However, more clinical studies are required to answer the question whether OKT3 should be given as induction treatment, as first-line treatment, or as rescue treatment. To answer this question, the side effects of OKT3 should also be taken into account. First-dose-related side effects, although frequent and disturbing, are usually transient and seldom life-threatening, provided overhydration has been corrected and steroids have been given before the first administration. These side effects are attributed to the release of cytokines as a result of T-cell activation or lysis. After exposure of patients to OKT3 an increased incidence of infections and malignancies has been reported. However, it is not yet clear whether this is due to OKT3 as such, or whether it merely reflects the total burden of immunosuppression. Xeno-sensitization represents an important limitation to OKT3 treatment, although a second or third course can still be effective in patients with low antibody titers. The precise immunosuppressive mechanism of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies is yet unknown. Monitoring of patients treated with OKT3 revealed CD3 and/or T-cell antigen receptor depletion and immunological incompetence of remaining T cells. More clinical data are required to establish the correct dose and duration of OKT3 treatment. In conclusion, OKT3 is a powerful immunosuppressive agent but its real value in renal transplantation remains to be determined. A practical approach may be to reserve it for the treatment of steroid-resistant rejections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Low-dose OKT3 induction therapy following renal transplantation: a controlled study.

In a prospective clinical study we tested the immunosuppressive properties and toxicity of low-dose OKT3 induction therapy in renal transplant recipients. 50 consecutive renal transplant recipients were alternatingly assigned to low-dose OKT3 induction or prednisolone/cyclosporin. Low-dose OKT3 induction treatment consisted of 0.5 mg OKT3 twice daily for 10 days, initially combined with azathioprine and prednisolone maintenance immunosuppression that was converted to prednisolone/cyclosporin at the end of the course. During a 15-29-month follow-up period, low-dose OKT3 induction therapy was found to reduce significantly the incidence of acute rejections, as compared to the usual prednisolone/cyclosporin maintenance immunosuppression (21 versus 52%, P = 0.02). There also was a tendency towards an improved graft function after low-dose OKT3, although no significance was reached. Furthermore, compared to a historical control group of renal transplant patients in whom acute rejection was treated with 5 mg OKT3 daily, low-dose OKT3 appeared to cause fewer side-effects. We conclude that low-dose OKT3 induction therapy is superior to prednisolone/cyclosporin in preventing acute rejection after renal transplantation and that it is better tolerated than conventional OKT3 treatment.

Antibodies to components of neutrophil cytoplasm: a new diagnostic tool in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and systemic vasculitis.

Eleven patients with symptoms highly suggestive of Wegener's granulomatosis are described. In spite of extensive investigation, only in two patients was a firm histological diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis obtained, while the remaining patients were either diagnosed as having unclassifiable systemic vasculitis or had no histological diagnosis made. This sometimes resulted in diagnostic and therapeutic delay and irreversible organ damage. Antibodies to components of neutrophil cytoplasm--recently demonstrated to be specific for Wegener's granulomatosis--were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in 10 of 11 patients, and it appears likely that antibodies to components of neutrophil cytoplasm will prove to be of great value in early diagnosis.

Effects of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies on functional activity of lymphocytes: studies in vivo and in vitro.

Lymphocyte functional activity was tested in 38 renal transplant recipients receiving induction treatment with various anti-CD3 MoAbs, i.e. OKT3, T3.G2a (an IgG2a anti-CD3 MoAb) or T3.A (an IgA anti-CD3 MoAb of the same idiotype). During treatment with OKT3 and T3.G2a, lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA), as determined with the use of a whole-blood lymphocyte culture technique, decreased significantly. However, during treatment with T3.A PHA response was not affected. Using a conventional lymphocyte culture technique, PHA response was unchanged during treatment with all three MoAbs, indicating that the immunosuppressive effect of OKT3 and T3.G2a is probably dependent upon the presence of MoAb in culture medium and is reversible. In addition, we tested in vitro inhibition of aspecific mitogen- or antigen-induced lymphocyte stimulation by OKT3, T3.A and T3.G2a. It appeared that at low concentrations (< 25 ng/ml) T3.G2a and OKT3 exerted a stronger immunosuppressive effect than T3.A. However, at higher concentrations T3.A, OKT3 and T3.G2a were equally immunosuppressive. We conclude that the immunosuppressive effect of T3.A is caused by blindfolding. At low concentrations T3.G2a exerts its immunosuppressive effect mainly through modulation of the CD3 and/or T cell receptor complex, as a result of interaction with Fc receptors on monocytes. At higher concentrations blindfolding of the CD3/T cell receptor complex may contribute to immunosuppression.

Toxicity of OKT3 increases with dosage: a controlled study in renal transplant recipients.

In the present study we prospectively compared side effects occurring in 12 patients after the first administration of low-dose OKT3 (0.5 mg twice daily) induction therapy with those in 10 patients who were treated with a conventional dose of OKT3 (5 mg daily) for acute rejection. We also investigated cytokine release and activation of complement and neutrophils as all of these are held responsible for OKT3-induced side effects. Low-dose OKT3 resulted in a significantly decreased side effects score compared to that after a conventional dose of OKT3 (1.8 vs 5.1, p = 0.0006). Following the first administration of low-dose OKT3, TNF peak levels were significantly lower than after a conventional dose of OKT3. In contrast to our data on conventional dose OKT3 treatment, the first administration of low-dose OKT3 did not induce complement activation as reflected by C3a and C4b/c levels in plasma. Finally, the increase in neutrophil degranulation products lactoferrin and elastase-varies; is directly proportional to 1-antitrypsin was much less following 0.5 mg OKT3 than following 5 mg. We conclude that OKT3-induced toxicity is dose-dependent and is mediated not only by cytokine release but also by activation of complement and neutrophils.