Quadruple immunosuppression with basiliximab, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone is safe and effective for renal transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Recent immunosuppression with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil has improved the results of renal transplantation. In this study, we analyzed the effect and safety of basiliximab as an induction therapy.


METHODS
Forty-nine kidney recipients were given tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone (non-Bas group), and 31 recipients were given basiliximab as an induction therapy in addition to the triple immunosuppressants (Bas group). Graft function, incidence of acute rejection (AR), findings of protocol graft biopsy and adverse effects were compared.


RESULTS
Serum creatinine within 1 yr post-transplant was comparable between the two groups. Incidence of biopsy-proven AR within 6 months post-transplant was less in the Bas group than in the non-Bas group. Borderline change at 3 months post-transplant was less in the Bas group when compared to the non-Bas group. The frequency and severity of tubulitis were higher in the non-Bas group than in the Bas group. The addition of basiliximab did not increase opportunistic infection, but reduced tacrolimus nephrotoxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of basiliximab to the tacrolimus-based triple immunosuppressive regimen enabled us to reduce the doses of immunosuppressants and tacrolimus nephrotoxicity without increasing early rejection or infection. This regimen is safe and effective for application during the early period after renal transplantation.
Miura
Masayoshi
M
Department of Urology, Sapporo City General Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
Harada
Hiroshi
H
Fukuzawa
Nobuyuki
N
Iwami
Daiki
D
Taniguchi
Akihisa
A
Seki
Toshimori
T
Togashi
Masaki
M
Ogawa
Yayoi
Y
Satoh
Hidetoshi
H
Hirano
Tetsuo
T
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077552:Basiliximab; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000077552:Basiliximab; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D011241:Prednisone; D016559:Tacrolimus