Article: Basiliximab

Basiliximab (Simulect) is a chimeric mouse-human monoclonal antibody to the IL-2Rα receptor of T cells.^[1] It is used to prevent rejection in organ transplantation, especially in kidney transplants. It is a Novartis Pharmaceuticals product^[2] and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998.^[3]

It is given in two doses, the first within 2 hours of the start of the transplant operation and the second 4 days after the transplant. These saturate the receptors and prevent T cell activation and thus prevent formation of antibodies against the transplant.

Like the similar drug daclizumab, basiliximab reduces the incidence and severity of acute rejection in kidney transplantation without increasing the incidence of opportunistic infections. In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has recommended its use be considered for all kidney transplant recipients.