Cytogam® treatment decreases CMV-related morbidity in orthotopic liver transplant recipients
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, in which Cytogam® or placebo was given to patients within 72 hours of transplant, and then periodically over 16 weeks, the following result was observed1:
- Cytogam® caused a decrease of around 50% in serious CMV disease1
In a retrospective review of 87 liver transplants over a 3-year period, of which 15 D+R- patients were found to have received Cytogam® and ganciclovir for prophylaxis the following result was obtained2:
- Viral hepatitis, generally estimated to affect about 60% of liver transplant recipients, affected only 1 patient (6.6%)2
Cytogam® treatment was associated with increased 1-year and long-term survival of liver transplant recipients3
Survival rate in orthotopic liver transplant patients3
In a follow-up of patients from a randomized trial of treatment with Cytogam® vs placebo the following results were obtained3:
- One-year survival of all liver transplant patients studied was 86% of those receiving Cytogam®, compared to 72% of those receiving placebo
- Long-term survival of the same group was 68% (Cytogam®) vs 54% (placebo)
1. Snydman DR, Werner BG, Dougherty NN, et al. Cytomegalovirus immune globulin prophylaxis in liver transplantation. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 1993;119:984-91.
2. Ham JM, Shelden SL, Godkin RR, Posner MP, Fisher RA. Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis with ganciclovir, acyclovir, and CMV hyperimmune globulin in liver transplant patients receiving OKT3 induction. Transplant Proc. 1995;27(5)Suppl 1:31-3.
3. Falagas ME, Snydman DR, Ruthazer R, Griffith J, Werner BG, Freeman R, and Rohrer R. Cytomegalovirus immune globulin (CMVIG) prophylaxis is associated with increased survival after orthotopic liver transplantation. The Boston Center for Liver Transplantation CMVIG Study Group. Clin Transplant. 1997;11:432-7.