New combo therapy may help save rejected kidneys

This study tested whether adding the drug bortezomib to a standard treatment (rituximab, plasma exchange, and IVIG) helps control chronic antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplant patients. Twenty participants received one of the two treatment combinations. The goal was to see if the extra drug improves kidney function and reduces harmful antibodies. Since patients must continue anti-rejection medications long-term, this is a disease control study.