Bortezomib alone fails to decrease donor specific anti-HLA antibodies: even after one year post-treatment.

In a previous study we evaluated the in vivo efficacy of one cycle of Bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 x 4 doses), used as the sole desensitization therapy, in four renal transplant recipients experiencing sub-acute antibody mediated rejection with persisting DSA. Bortezomib treatment did not significantly decrease DSA MFI within the 270-day posttreatment period in any patient. Here we reevaluate the patients' outcomes and bortezomib efficacy after one year post-treatment. The DSA levels remained stable or increased. In conclusion, one cycle of bortezomib alone does not decrease DSA levels in sensitized kidney transplant recipients.