Antilymphocyte globulin and renal transplantation.

ALG was used in 87 patients undergoing cadaveric renal transplantation. These patients were grouped into five different groups according to the batch of ALG which was given. In addition to receiving ALG prepared by immunization with cultured lymphoblasts our most recent patients (Group V) also received a shorter duration of ALG therapy in much higher doses. These variations may explain the differences in three month transplant survival which was seen with the various groups. (Group I 68% survival, Group II 80%, Group III86%, Group IV 47% and Group V 83%.) Is is suggested that the results are predictabe on the basis of skin graft prolongation in monkeys.