Therapeutic Donor Kidney Transplant Outcomes: Comparing Early US Experiences Using Optimal Matching

Background: Therapeutic donors (TDs) are individuals who undergo organ removal for medical treatment with no replacement organ, and the organ is then transplanted into another person. Transplant centers in the United States have started using TDs for kidney transplantation (KT). TD-KT recipient outcomes may be inferior to those of non-TD-living-donor (non-TD-LD)-KT or deceased-donor (DD)-KT because of the conditions that led to nephrectomy; however, these outcomes have not been sufficiently evaluated. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data. Via optimal matching methods, we created 1:4 fivesomes with highly similar characteristics for TD-KT and non-TD-LD-KT recipients and then separately for TD-KT and DD-KT recipients. We compared a 6-mo estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between groups (primary endpoint) and a composite of death, graft loss, or eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at 6 mo (secondary). Results: We identified 36 TD-KT recipients with 6-mo eGFR. There was also 1 death and 2 graft losses within 6 mo. Mean +/- SD 6-mo eGFR was not significantly different between TD-KT, non-TD-LD-KT, and DD-KT recipients (59.9 +/- 20.7, 63.3 +/- 17.9, and 59.9 +/- 23.0 mL/min/1.73 m(2), respectively; P > 0.05). However, the 6-mo composite outcome occurred more frequently with TD-KT than with non-TD-LD-KT and DD-KT (18%, 2% [P < 0.001], and 8% [P = 0.053], respectively). Conclusions: Early graft function was no different between well-matched groups, but TD-KT demonstrated a higher risk of otherwise poor 6-mo outcomes compared with non-TD-LD-KT and DD-KT. Our results support selective utilization of TD kidneys; however, additional studies are needed with more detailed TD kidney information to understand how to best utilize these kidneys.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the outcomes of therapeutic donor kidney transplantation compared to non-therapeutic donor and deceased-donor kidney transplantation. The results showed no significant difference in early graft function among the groups, but therapeutic donor kidney transplantation had a higher risk of poor outcomes at 6 months. The findings suggest selective utilization of therapeutic donor kidneys, but further studies are needed for optimal utilization.