Kidney transplant from a living monozygotic twin donor with no maintenance immunosuppression.

UNLABELLED: From a theoretical point of view, an alloimmune response can not take place, still some type of standard immunosuppression is used in about 60% of patients receiving kidney grafts from their monozygotic twins. We aimed at assessing clinical response in patients receiving renal grafts from a living monozygotic twin donor when no immunosuppressive therapy is used. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of patients receiving kidney grafts from their monozygotic twins from 1969 to 2013. The following data were recorded: age, renal graft recipient's primary disease, renal function, renal survival and overall survival. Immunosuppressive therapy included a single intraoperative dose of methylprednisolone 500 mg and no maintenance immunosuppression. RESULTS: Five patients with kidney grafts from their monozygotic twins were dentified in our centre. Mean age at transplantation was 33 years (27-39). One-year overall survival and graft survival were 100%. Mean creatinine level was 0.96 ± 0.2 one year after transplantation, and 1.2 ± 0.37 mg/dl at most recent follow-up. Two patients died with a functional graft more than 15 years after kidney transplantation (causes were melanoma and cardiovascular event respectively). Follow-up was lost in a patient one year after transplantation. Two patients are alive with a functioning graft at 18 months and 42.5 years after transplantation respectively. CONCLUSION: Kidney transplantation from a living monozygotic twin is associated to outstanding clinical outcomes. Immunossuppresive therapy to suppress alloimmune response in probably unnecessary 11 zygosity has been confirmed.

Trasplante renal de donante vivo entre gemelos monocigotos sin inmunosupresión de mantenimiento / Kidney transplant from a living monozygotic twin donor with no maintenance immunosuppression

Los pacientes trasplantados de riñón de gemelo monocigótico reciben en un 60% de los casos algún tipo de inmunosupresión estándar a pesar de la imposibilidad teórica para generar una respuesta aloinmune. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la respuesta clínica de los receptores renales de donante vivo de gemelo monocigoto sin tratamiento inmunosupresor. Método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo entre 1969 y 2013 de pacientes trasplantados renales de donante vivo entre gemelos monocigotos. Se ha recogido edad y enfermedad primaria del receptor, función renal, supervivencia renal y global. El protocolo inmunosupresor consistía en la administración de una dosis única intraoperatoria de 500mg de metilprednisolona sin otra inmunosupresión de mantenimiento. Resultados: Se identificó a 5 receptores renales de gemelos idénticos en nuestro centro. Edad media en el momento del trasplante 33 años (27-39). La supervivencia a un año de los pacientes y el injerto fue del 100%. La creatinina media al año fue de 0,96±0,2 y al último seguimiento de 1,2±0,37mg/dl. Dos pacientes fallecieron con injerto funcional más de 15 años después del trasplante (uno debido a melanoma y otro debido a un evento cardiovascular). Se perdió el seguimiento de un paciente al año del trasplante. Los 2 pacientes restantes están vivos 18 meses y 42,5 años después del trasplante, respectivamente, con injerto funcionante. Conclusión: El trasplante renal entre gemelos monocigotos ofrece excelentes resultados clínicos. Probablemente el tratamiento inmunosupresor para inhibir la respuesta aloinmune es innecesario en estos casos cuando se haya comprobado la cigosidad (AU)

From a theoretical point of view, an alloimmune response can not take place, still some type of standard immunosuppression is used in about 60% of patients receiving kidney grafts from their monozygotic twins. We aimed at assessing clinical response in patients receiving renal grafts from a living monozygotic twin donor when no immunosuppressive therapy is used. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of patients receiving kidney grafts from their monozygotic twins from 1969 to 2013. The following data were recorded: age, renal graft recipient's primary disease, renal function, renal survival and overall survival. Immunosuppressive therapy included a single intraoperative dose of methylprednisolone 500mg and no maintenance immunosuppression. Results: Five patients with kidney grafts from their monozygotic twins were dentified in our centre. Mean age at transplantation was 33 years (27-39). One-year overall survival and graft survival were 100%. Mean creatinine level was 0.96±0.2 one year after transplantation, and 1.2±0.37mg/dl at most recent follow-up. Two patients died with a functional graft more than 15 years after kidney transplantation (causes were melanoma and cardiovascular event respectively). Follow-up was lost in a patient one year after transplantation. Two patients are alive with a functioning graft at 18 months and 42.5 years after transplantation respectively. Conclusion: Kidney transplantation from a living monozygotic twin is associated to outstanding clinical outcomes. Immunossuppresive therapy to suppress alloimmune response in probably unnecessary 11 zygosity has been confirmed (AU)