TY - JOUR T1 - Lymphocyte-depleting induction and steroid minimization after kidney transplantation: A review JO - Nefrología T2 - AU - Naesens,Maarten AU - Berger,Stefan AU - Biancone,Luigi AU - Crespo,Marta AU - Djamali,Arjang AU - Hertig,Alexandre AU - Öllinger,Robert AU - Portolés,José AU - Zuckermann,Andreas AU - Pascual,Julio SN - 02116995 M3 - 10.1016/j.nefro.2016.03.019 DO - 10.1016/j.nefro.2016.03.019 UR - https://www.revistanefrologia.com/es-lymphocyte-depleting-induction-steroid-minimization-after-articulo-S0211699516300224 AB - Steroid minimization after kidney transplantation has become more widely practiced as transplant clinicians seek the potential benefits such as reduced cardiovascular risk factors, improved growth in pediatric patients, and improved compliance with the immunosuppression regimen. Steroid avoidance (i.e. no steroids after the first week) is generally favored compared to later withdrawal. Induction therapy is routine in this setting, frequently rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG, Thymoglobulin®) or off-license use of alemtuzumab. Direct comparisons of steroid minimization regimens versus standard steroid regimens are rare. However, the available data show that the risk of acute rejection is low when rATG or alemtuzumab induction is given to support steroid-avoidance regimens after kidney transplantation. Steroid avoidance may be inadvisable in patients at high immunological risk or at risk of recurrent glomerular disease. Steroid withdrawal after day 8 may be possible without additional risk of rejection in patients given rATG induction, but while encouraging, the data are too sparse for firm conclusions. In summary, steroid avoidance may be beneficial for patients after renal transplantation, with the potential to avoid or reduce steroid-related comorbidities. Whilst depleting induction therapy could be the treatment of choice, results of prospective randomized, controlled studies are eagerly awaited. ER -