Daclizumab administration

Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of organ transplant patients should prescribe daclizumab. The physician responsible for daclizumab administration should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient. Daclizumab should only be administered by health care personnel trained in the administration of the drug who have available adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dose of daclizumab is 1 mg/kg within 24 hours of transplant surgery and then 1 mg/kg administered every 2 weeks after surgery for a total of five doses.7,9,11 No dose adjustment is necessary in renal impairment, but no data are available for dose adjustments in hepatic dysfunction. Several trials have shown that a shorter dosing regimen of daclizumab, two doses given in a similar manner as basiliximab, may be as safe and effective as the full five-dose course.12,13... 

Daclizumab is a humanized IgG that binds to the alpha subunit of the IL-2 receptor. Its indications are identical to that of basiliximab, but the mode of administration differs. 

Oral 25, 100 mg capsules 100 mg/mL solution Parenteral 50 mg/mL for IV administration Daclizumab (Zenapax)... 

Warnings Should be administered in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources Administration of proteins may cause possible anaphylactoid reactions (none reported) Immunosuppressive therapies increase risk for lymphoproliferative disorders and opportunistic infections (incidence in daclizumab-treated patients is similar to placebo)... 

The cytokine IL-2 plays a key role in growth, differentiation, and activation of T-cells. The antibodies daclizumab and basiliximab, which recognize the a5 subunit of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2Ra) and block binding of IL-2, have been clinically effective as immunosuppressive agents [122], However for reasons of cost, administration, and possible side effects, they are used only pre- and post-transplantation, and in the acute phase of transplant rejection. This state of affairs has precipitated interest in small-molecule inhibition of this interaction. 

---