Renal transplant rejection treatment: A cost-effective approach

This study demonstrated that graft survival is not decreased by initial antirejection treatment with MP. We did not hesitate to add ALG if there was continuing deterioration or no improvement in graft function. Forty percent of the first rejection episodes and 60% of the second rejection episodes in the MP group were eventually treated with ALG. However, a large number of patients were spared the time, inconvenience, and expense of ALG treatment. We conclude that MP alone, with ALG added if treatment fails, is a cost-effective method to treat rejection in patients receiving prednisone and azathioprine as basic immunosuppression.