De novo sirolimus-based regimen in Thai renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND

Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity is a common cause of chronic allograft nephropathy. Although de novo sirolimus (SRL) with CNI minimization may provide better graft function, studies in Asian recipients are lacking.

AIM

We sought to determine the 1-year outcomes of renal transplant patients who received a de novo SRL-based regimen with CNI minimization.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A single-center, prospective study of de novo SRL-based, reduced-dose cyclosporine regimen was performed from 2004 to 2007. The control group was a historical cohort of a cyclosporine-based regimen (cyclosporine, prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil). The 1-year outcome parameters included renal function, rate of acute rejection, biopsy-proven CNI toxicity, graft and patient survivals.

RESULTS

The SRL-based regimen achieved 100% 1-year graft and patient survivals. The renal function was comparable between the SRL-based and CNI-based regimens (serum creatinine 1.32 +/- 0.45 and 1.45 +/- 0.43 mg/dL; P = .27). The rate of biopsy-proven acute rejection was comparable (9.5% and 13%; P = .68). The SRL-based regimen had a higher rate of biopsy-proven CNI toxicity (28.5% and 9.7%; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

De novo SRL-based regimen with CNI minimization provides excellent transplant outcomes. The strategy to minimize or withdraw CNIs may achieve excellent graft function. A prospective study targeting lower CNI trough levels in Asian transplant recipients is required.