title: Basiliximab and mycophenolate mofetil in combination with low-dose cyclosporine and methylprednisolone effectively prevent acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: The aim of the study was to analyze whether immunosuppressive treatment with basiliximab and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), allowed a reduction in methylprednisolone and cyclosporine dosages without increasing the incidence of acute rejection episodes, reducing 1-year graft and patient survivals, or increasing the rates of infections and malignancy in the first year. The two groups were group A (n = 72), treated with methylprednisolone and cyclosporine and in the first 2 weeks with azathioprine; group B (n = 72), treated with basiliximab, MMF, and low-dose cyclosporine and methylprednisolone. The patients were followed for 1 year. The incidence of acute rejection episodes in the first year was significantly lower in group B (2.8%) than group A (12.5%; P < .05). The cumulative methylprednisolone dose, the daily dose, and the average cyclosporine trough blood level were significantly lower in group B (P < .001). One-year serum creatinine was significantly lower in group B (112 +/- 45 micromol/L) than group A (138 +/- 51 micromol/L; P < .01). One-year graft survival was 91.7% in group A and 98.6% in group B. One-year patient survival was 98.6% in group A and 100% in group B. The groups did not differ significantly in the incidence of bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Immunosuppression with basiliximab and MMF allowed a reduction in cyclosporine and methylprednisolone dosages and was associated with significantly lower incidences of acute rejections episodes with better graft function in the first year as opposed to immunosuppression with higher doses of cyclosporine and methylprednisolone alone. Both immunosuppressive regimens showed the same infection rates and did not differ significantly in the occurrence of malignant diseases within the first year.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, University Medical Centre, and Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. damjan.kovac@guest.arnes.si
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kovac
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kotnik
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kandus
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077552:Basiliximab; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000077552:Basiliximab; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine; D008775:Methylprednisolone