Comparison of FK506- and cyclosporine-based immunosuppression in primary orthotopic liver transplantation. A single center experience.

FK506 has been proven effective for prevention and treatment of liver allograft rejection. Herein, we compare FK506-based immunosuppression with an effective quadruple immunosuppressive regimen, including cyclosporine and antithymocyte globulin. The results of a single center participating in the European multicenter FK506 study are reported, including immunosuppressive efficacy as well as toxicity. One-year patient and graft survival was 96.7% and 90.0% for the CsA group and 90.2% and 88.5% for the FK506 group, which is not statistically different. The incidence and severity of acute rejection episodes during the first postoperative year was similar in both treatment groups with 34.4% and 33.3% for the FK506 and CsA treatment group, respectively. Immunosuppressive potency was better for the FK506 group compared with the CsA group according to the incidence of chronic rejection. Furthermore, 5 patients (8.3%) required conversion to FK506 for immunological reasons, i.e., refractory acute or chronic rejection. The incidence of moderate and severe neurotoxicity during the early postoperative period was higher in the FK506 group (21.3%) compared with the CsA group (11.7%), while the incidence of renal insufficiency and acute renal failure was similar (18.0% and 18.3% for the FK506 and CsA treatment groups, respectively). The incidence of CMV infection was significantly higher under treatment with CsA (25.0%) than with FK506 (6.6%) (P < or = 0.05), while the incidence of pneumonia (13.1% and 13.3%), cholangitis (29.5% and 26.7%), and urinary tract infection (39.3% and 28.3% for the FK506 and CsA treatment groups, respectively) was similar in both treatment groups. However, infection was more serious in some cases treated with FK506, and evolved as the main cause of death in the FK506 treatment group. Therefore, caution should be paid to over immunosuppression and toxicity in FK506-treated patients. Regarding the monitoring of FK506, FK506 plasma level failed to be a reliable indicator, and therefore we recommend measurement of whole blood FK506 levels. Our data indicate that immunosuppressive potency of FK506 is greater than that of CsA, especially concerning the incidence of chronic rejection.