The superiority of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients -- the Pittsburgh experience.
Tacrolimus is a superior immunosuppressive agent in patients undergoing renal transplantation. In adults, the 1- and 3-year actuarial patient survivals were 95% and 92%, and the 1- and 3-year actuarial graft survivals were 89% and 80%. For first cadaver kidneys, the 1- and 3-year actuarial graft survivals were 91% and 82%, with a projected half-life of 11.9 years. Sixty-nine percent of successfully transplanted patients were weaned off steroids. In pediatric patients, the 1- and 4-year actuarial patient survivals were 100% and 96%, and the 1- and 4-year actuarial graft survivals were 99% and 85%. Seventy-three percent of successfully transplanted children were weaned off steroids. Tacrolimus was also useful as a rescue agent, with an initial success rate of 74%. Tacrolimus has been used successfully in kidney/ pancreas transplantation, with 100% patient, 95% kidney, and 79% pancreas graft survival. Tacrolimus should be considered the immunosuppressive agent of choice in renal transplantation.
Shapiro
R
R
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh Transplantation Institute, Pennsylvania, USA.
Jordan
M L
ML
Scantlebury
V P
VP
Vivas
C
C
Gritsch
H A
HA
Corry
R J
RJ
Egidi
F
F
McCauley
J
J
Ellis
D
D
Gilboa
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D010414:Pennsylvania; D015996:Survival Rate; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus