The impact of triple drug immunosuppression on clinical results of cadaveric kidney transplantation: a comparison of conventional immunosuppression.
A retrospective study was carried out in 110 cadaveric kidney transplant recipients to compare the effects of low doses of cyclosporine (CsA), azathioprine (AZP) and steroids (triple-drug therapy) with those of higher doses of steroids plus AZP (conventional immunosuppression). Graft survival rate in the triple-drug therapy was 77%, 69%, and 69% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. This was significantly better than 48%, 34%, and 29% in conventional immunosuppression. The incidence of acute rejection episodes was significantly lower in the triple-drug therapy than in conventional immunosuppression (25% vs 58%). In conclusion, our study shows that triple-drug therapy using low-dose cyclosporine is the safest of the immunosuppressive regimens and provides a beneficial effect on the long-term survival of cadaveric kidney transplants.
Sakagami
K
K
First Department of Surgery, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Saito
S
S
Shiozaki
S
S
Takasu
S
S
Matsuno
T
T
Fujiwara
T
T
Kusaka
S
S
Uda
M
M
Matsuoka
J
J
Naomoto
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002102:Cadaver; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged
D016572:Cyclosporine; D001379:Azathioprine; D008775:Methylprednisolone