Hypothesis:
- That B cell depletion, rather than reducing acute rejection, will allow minimisation of
immunosuppression, which may lead to better graft survival.
Aim:
- To assess whether the addition of rituximab to a low-dose tacrolimus immunosuppression
regime allows a reduction in steroid administration.
Objectives:
- To assess whether B cell depletion affects graft function, acute rejection and
complication rates
- To assess whether the T cell response to allotransplantation is impaired by B cell
depletion.