Kidney transplant from a monozygotic twin living donor with no maintenance immunosuppression

Abstract Standard immunosuppression is used in about 60% of patients receiving kidney grafts from their monozygotic twins living donor although an alloimmune response can not take place. The aim of the study was to asses the clinical response in patients receiving renal grafts from a monozygotic twin living donor when no immunosuppressive therapy is used. Methods This is a retrospective observational study of patients receiving kidney grafts from their monozygotic twins from 1969 to 2013. The following data were recorded: age, renal graft recipient's primary disease, renal function, renal survival and overall survival. Immunosuppressive therapy included a single intraoperative dose of methylprednisolone 500 mg and no maintenance immunosuppression. Results Five patients with kidney grafts from their monozygotic twins were dentified in our centre. Mean age at transplantation was 33 years (27–39). One-year overall survival and graft survival were 100%. Mean creatinine level was 0.96 ± 0.2 one year after transplanta tion, and 1.2 ± 0.37 mg/dl at most recent follow-up. Two patients died with a functional graft more than 15 years after kidney transplantation (causes were melanoma and cardiovascu lar event respectively). Follow-up was lost in a patient one year after transplantation. Two patients are alive with a functioning graft at 18 months and 42.5 years after transplantation respectively. Conclusion Kidney transplantation from a monozygotic twin living donor is associated with excellent clinical outcomes. Immunosuppressive therapy to suppress alloimmune response is probably unnecessary if zygosity has been confirmed.