A Review of Interleukin‐2 Receptor Antagonists in Solid Organ Transplantation

Daclizumab and basiliximab, engineered human IgG monoclonal antibodies to the interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) receptor α‐subunit, were approved to prevent acute rejection after rnal transplantation. Daclizumab was studied in adult and pediatric renal allograft recipients, liver allograft recipients, and calcineurin‐sparing protocols in renal transplant recipients. Basiliximab was studied in renal allograft recipients and subgroups of recipients of living‐related and cadaveric transplants, and in patients with diabetes mellitus. Both agents reduced acute rejection and were associated with few adverse effects. However, information regarding their long‐term effects on infection, malignancy, chronic rejection, and patient survival must be available before a final decision is made regarding their proper administration. We propose that a likely role the drugs will play in the field of solid organ transplantation is in new protocols that allow sparing of other more toxic immunosuppressive agents.