What do systematic reviews say?

Rituximab (B cell) + steroid vs steroids

Rituximab (B cell) + steroid showed no clear difference in failure of reversal of acute rejection compared with steroid alone (moderate certainty).

• Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for treating acute rejection episodes in kidney transplant recipients 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.94 [0.54, 1.64]
  2 studies · 53 participants
  Moderate

Rituximab (B cell) + steroid vs steroids

Rituximab (B cell) + steroid showed no clear difference in graft loss or death with a functioning graft compared with steroid alone (moderate certainty).

• Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for treating acute rejection episodes in kidney transplant recipients 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1 [0.23, 4.35]
  2 studies · 58 participants
  Moderate

Rituximab (B cell) + steroid vs steroids

• Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for treating acute rejection episodes in kidney transplant recipients 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 58 participants
  High

Rituximab (B cell) + steroid vs steroids

Rituximab (B cell) + steroid probably leads to higher treatment adverse events: UTI/pyelonephritis compared with steroid alone (moderate certainty).

• Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for treating acute rejection episodes in kidney transplant recipients 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 5.73 [1.8, 18.21]
  1 study · 38 participants
  Moderate