Effects of Rituximab and Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) on Highly Sensitized Patients Awaiting Renal Transplant

Inclusion Criteria: * Age range 18 - 75, inclusive * Able and willing to give written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study protocol * Outpatient status * Patients with a Panel of Reactive Antibodies (PRA) over 10% after an 8-month trial of MMF monotherapy * Patients with updated immunizations for tetanus, influenza, hepatitis B, pneumococcus * Patients with a negative purified protein derivative(PPD ) screen for tuberculosis (TB)within the last 6 months. If subject has a prior history of TB or positive PPD, documentation of adequate treatment is required. * Women who are of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test prior to being enrolled in the study and agree to use a medically acceptable method of contraception throughout the study and for twelve months (1 year) after completion of treatment. * Men must agree to use an acceptable method of birth control during treatment and for twelve months (1 year) after completion of treatment. * Liver enzymes ALT and AST less than 2 times the normal limit. Exclusion Criteria: * Active infection * Receipt of live vaccine within 4 weeks prior to first infusion. * Previous treatment with rituximab (MabThera® / Rituxan®) * History of multiple recurrent infections defined as more than 3 urinary tract infections, 2 episodes of pneumonia or 3 episodes of otitis/sinusitis in one year, or more than two dialysis line or peritoneal infections within one year. * Infection with hepatitis C virus (…