Standard induction with basiliximab versus no induction in low immunological risk kidney transplant recipients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Induction therapy with IL-2 receptor antagonist (IL2-RA) is recommended as a first-line agent in low immunological risk kidney transplant recipients. However, the role of IL2-RA in the setting of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression has not been fully investigated. Aims: To compare different induction therapeutic strategies with 2 doses of basiliximab vs. no induction in low immunologic risk kidney transplant recipients as per KFSHRC protocol. Methods: Prospective, randomized, double blind, non-inferiority, controlled clinical trial Expected outcomes: 1. Primary outcomes: Biopsy-proven acute rejection within first year following transplant 2. Secondary outcomes: a. Patient and graft survival at 1 year b. eGFR at 6 months and at 12 months c. Emergence of de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) Trial registration: The study has been prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (

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04404127). Registered on 27 May 2020. © 2021, The Author(s).