Daclizumab is a genetically engineered human IgG1 monoclonal antibody specific for the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor. A pooled analysis of two randomized, double-blind studies was performed on the efficacy and safety of daclizumab in renal transplantation, given in addition to standard immunosuppression. Patients receiving their first cadaveric renal allograft were randomized to receive 5 doses of daclizumab (n = 267) or placebo (n = 268), starting pre-operatively. Acute rejection at 1 year occurred less frequently with daclizumab (n = 74, 27.7 %) than with placebo (n = 116, 43.3%) (P = 0.0001). Fewer patients treated with daclizumab required anti-lymphocyte therapy for acute rejection (7.9 % vs. 15.3 %; P = 0.005). Mean cumulative doses of corticosteroids were lower with daclizumab (4133 mg) than with placebo (4562 mg). One year graft survival was 91.4 % with daclizumab, compared with 86.6 % on placebo (P = 0.065), with patient survival of 98.5 % and 95.1 % for daclizumab and placebo respectively (P = 0.022). Daclizumab was well tolerated. No increase in infectious episodes or lymphoproliferative disorders was observed with daclizumab. The incidence of cytomegalovirus infections was similar with daclizumab and placebo (15 % vs. 17.5 %). Therapy with daclizumab significantly reduces acute rejection in renal transplantation and improves patient survival without any increase in morbidity.
