[Experiences with monoclonal antibody orthoclone OKT3 following liver transplantation]

In 7 patients 10 cycles (5 to 21 days, dosage: 30 to 430 mg, median 138 mg) of OKT3 therapy were performed after liver transplantation. In all patients reactivation of an EBV-infection with hepatitis was observed. Two patients treated with high dosages (430 mg respectively 195 mg) developed lymphoproliferative lesions. In one patient with persistent EBV-infection (dosage: 360 mg) a B-cell-lymphoma was diagnosed. This patient died 26 months after transplantation.