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

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 (FEV 1 ) decline significantly improved after treatment with AL and with ECP compared with pre-treatment FEV 1 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 FEV 1 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 FEV 1 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.