A systematic review of treatment strategies to combat acute and chronic rejection episodes in vascularized composite allotransplantation

TL;DR

This review analyzes treatment strategies for managing rejection in vascularized composite allotransplantation, highlighting common symptoms and therapies used in acute and chronic rejection.

Contribution

The study provides a systematic review of immunosuppressive protocols and outcomes in VCA rejection, emphasizing the need for improved strategies and standardized protocols.

Findings

Acute rejection occurred in 60% of recipients, with skin lesions, edema, and erythema as common symptoms.

Corticosteroids were the mainstay treatment (72%), often combined with tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants.

Chronic rejection remains under-recognized and harder to treat, highlighting the need for novel immunomodulators.

Abstract

Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) offers unique reconstructive solutions for severe tissue loss, restoring form and function. Acute and chronic rejection remains a significant barrier, with acute episodes occurring in most recipients and chronic rejection persisting as the leading cause of graft failure. Unlike solid organ transplantation, VCA involves highly immunogenic tissues, like skin and mucosa, making rejection more frequent and challenging to manage.

A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020, searching PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science for original human VCA studies reporting immunosuppressive protocols and outcomes in acute or chronic rejection. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and Level of Evidence; extracted data included demographics, regimens, rejection episodes, treatments, and graft survival.

Fourty-six studies (136 recipients) met inclusion criteria: upper extremity (n=69; 51%), face (n=33; 24%), abdominal wall (n=33; 24%), scalp and penile (each n=1; 0.7%). Acute rejection occurred in 81/136 (60%) within year 1, most often at POW 1–2 (n=52), 5–12 (n=42), and 13–52 (n=30). Severity was Banff grade I (n=49; 36%), II (n=73; 54%), III (n=50; 37%), and severe IV (n=1; 0.7%). Common symptoms included skin lesions (n=43; 32%), edema (n=32; 24%), erythema (n=29; 21%), and rash (n=15; 11%), with some experiencing numbness (n=4; 2.9%), tingling (n=5; 3.7%), or burning sensations (n=5; 3.7%). Corticosteroids were the mainstay (n=98; 72%)—methylprednisolone (n=31; 23%), clobetasol (n=15; 11%), and prednisone (n=11; 8.1%); tacrolimus was used in 49 (36%), including topical in 29 (21%). Other immunosuppressants included antithymocyte globulin (n=19; 14%), alemtuzumab (n=11; 8.1%), mycophenolate mofetil (n=11; 8.1%), and rituximab (n=6; 4.4%); basiliximab (n=4; 2.9%), sirolimus (n=2; 1.5%), and plasmapheresis (n=4; 2.9%) were used selectively. Monotherapy was used in 42 episodes, and dual therapy in 51, most commonly methylprednisolone plus topical tacrolimus (n=26).

This review underscores the ongoing challenge of rejection in VCA and the need for improved treatment strategies, with corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and mycophenolate mofetil remaining standard while emerging biologicals offer promise. Acute rejection is often manageable yet threatens graft survival, whereas chronic rejection is less reported, likely under-recognized and harder to treat, underscoring need for novel immunomodulators, standardized protocols, and prevention to improve outcomes.

A systematic review examines rejection management in vascularized composite allotransplantation across 46 studies with 136 VCAs. Of 219 rejection episodes, 48% of patients had one to three episodes. Common signs include skin lesions (32%), edema (24%), and erythema (21%). Rejection grading shows Banff Grade I in 36%, Grade II in 54%, Grade III in 37%, and Grade IV in 0.7% of patients. Treatment strategies involve steroids (72%), tacrolimus (36%), and antithymocyte globulin (14%). The graphic includes an illustration of a human figure with an IV bag and highlighted areas.

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