Comparison of extracorporeal photopheresis and alemtuzumab for the treatment of chronic lung allograft dysfunction

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2018 Mar;37(3):340-348. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2017.03.017. Epub 2017 Mar 24.

Abstract

Background: Survival after lung transplantation is limited by chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Immunomodulatory therapies such as extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) and alemtuzumab (AL) have been described for refractory CLAD, but comparative outcomes are not well defined.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed spirometric values and clinical outcomes after therapy with ECP, AL, or no treatment (NT) in patients with CLAD who underwent transplant between January 2005 and December 2014. We used inverse probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) to adjust for potential confounders affecting treatment choice.

Results: Of 267 patients, 31 received immunomodulatory therapies for CLAD, and 78 received NT. The slope of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) decline significantly improved after treatment with AL and with ECP compared with pre-treatment FEV1 slope; however, there was no significant change in slope of forced vital capacity (FVC). Comparison with NT was limited because of clinical differences in treatment groups. After IPWRA, we found no significant difference in mean difference of FEV1 slope (ml/month) when comparing treatment with NT, suggesting stabilization of lung function in the treatment group. We found no difference between the 2 immunomodulatory therapies 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment (-49.9 [95% CI -581.8, +482.0], p = 0.85; +27.7 [95% CI -167.6, +223.0], p = 0.78; -9.6 [95% CI -167.5, +148.2], p = 0.91). We found no difference in mean FVC slope or differences between ECP and AL in infection rates or survival after treatment.

Conclusions: Immunomodulatory therapy for CLAD with ECP or AL was associated with a significant change in FEV1 slope post-treatment compared with pre-treatment slope, with minimal effect on FVC. There was no difference between the 2 therapies in their effect on pulmonary function.

Keywords: alemtuzumab; chronic lung allograft dysfunction; lung transplant; photopheresis; rejection.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alemtuzumab / therapeutic use*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Lung Diseases / therapy*
  • Lung Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Photopheresis* / methods
  • Primary Graft Dysfunction / therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Alemtuzumab