[Necessity and safety of conversion from mycophenolate mofetil to AzA thioprine after renal transplantation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the necessity and safety of conversion from mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to Azathioprine (AzA) in stable renal transplant patients.


METHODS
In a randomised open clinical trial, A total of 87 low-risk renal allograft recipients on triple immunosuppressive therapy (prednisone/MMF/cyclosporine) 6 months after transplantation was randomised into two groups: converted (switching MMF to AzA treatment 6 months after transplantation, n = 42) and control (continued MMF treatment, n = 45). Renal function, acute rejection episodes, side effects and related complications were analysed in each group.


RESULTS
The outcome (such as event-free graft survival rate and incidence of acute rejection) of treatment after a 12-months follow-up of patients in two groups was similar. Liver lesion and leukocytopenia, most of which was reversible, occurred more frequently in the converted than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Under the special economic atmosphere and medical insurance system of our country, the conversion from MMF to AzA in some renal transplant patients was necessary and safe. Further study is needed to evaluate the long-term outcome of this conversion.
Lu
Jin-Shan
JS
Department of Urology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China.
Xiao
Xu-Ren
XR
Ao
Jian-Hua
JH
Gao
Jiang-Ping
JP
Dong
Jun
J
Hong
Bao-Fa
BF
Li
Yan-Tang
YT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012449:Safety
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone