title: A randomized, multicenter study of steroid avoidance, early steroid withdrawal or standard steroid therapy in kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: In a randomized, open-label, multicenter study, de novo renal transplant patients received no steroids (n = 112), steroids to day 7 (n = 115), or standard steroids (n = 109) with cyclosporine microemulsion (CsA-ME), enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) and basiliximab. The primary objective, to demonstrate noninferiority of 12-month GFR in the steroid-free or steroid-withdrawal groups versus standard steroids, was not met in the intent-to-treat population. However, investigational groups were not inferior to standard steroids in the observed-case analysis. Median 12-month GFR was not significantly different in the steroid-free or steroid-withdrawal groups (58.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 59.1 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) versus standard steroids (60.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). The 12-month incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft loss or death was 36.0% in the steroid-free group (p = 0.007 vs. standard steroids), 29.6% with steroid withdrawal (N.S.) and 19.3% with standard steroids. BPAR was significantly less frequent with standard steroids than either of the other two regimens. Reduced de novo use of antidiabetic and lipid-lowering medication, triglycerides and weight gain were observed in one or both steroid-minimization group versus standard steroids. For standard-risk renal transplant patients receiving CsA-ME, EC-MPS and basiliximab, steroid withdrawal by the end of week 1 achieves similar 1-year renal function to a standard-steroids regimen, and may be more desirable than complete steroid avoidance.
authors.affiliation: University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. VincentiF@surgery.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vincenti
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Schena
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paraskevas
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grinyo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone