HLA desensitization based on results of the luminex technique in kidney transplant – A single-center experience

Background: There is little experience of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) desensitization in India based on the Luminex single-antigen bead (SAB) testing. We retrospectively analyzed our patients, who underwent HLA desensitization based on Luminex SAB results. Method: Between 2014 and 2018, patients with complement-dependent cytotoxicity cross-match (CDC-XM) negativity but flow cytometry crossmatch (FC-XM) positivity were further analyzed with Luminex SAB for donor-specific antibodies (DSAs). A total of 12 patients who had DSA mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of >1000 and 2000. All underwent desensitization successfully. Two patients had an increase in posttransplant DSA titers requiring posttransplant PP. The mean follow-up was 26.6 ± 13.9 months. On follow-up, only one patient developed acute T cell-mediated rejection 1 year after transplant, which responded to pulse steroids. There was no graft or patient loss until the last follow-up. Conclusion: This study shows that HLA desensitization is feasible and successful in the Indian setting if patients are properly selected.