Efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil versus azathioprine after renal transplantation: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of mycophenolate acid (MMF) versus azathioprine (AZA) after renal transplantation.


METHODS
The following electronic databases were searched: Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, and Chinese Biomedicine database (CBM). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were subjected to Revman 4.11 for statistical analyses.


RESULTS
Twenty-three RCTs were identified to compare MMF and AZA for antirejection, prophylaxis after renal transplantation. The data showed that MMF (2 g/d) was more beneficial than AZA to improve graft and long-term patient survivals, but there was no statistical differences between MMF (3 g/d) and AZA. Whether at 6 months or at 1 year after renal transplantation, the use of MMF (2 g/d) or MMF (3 g/d) markedly reduced the incidence of biopsy-proven rejection.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with AZA, MMF is a more potent immunosuppressive drug, that is more efficient in reducing the incidence of acute rejection episodes after renal transplantation. MMF can improve the graft and patient survival rate. The 2 g per day dosage is more acceptable.
Wang
K
K
Department of Urology, the Lab of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Zhang
H
H
Li
Y
Y
Wei
Q
Q
Li
H
H
Yang
Y
Y
Lu
Y
Y
D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000502:physiology*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine