The role of basiliximab induction therapy in adult-to-adult living-related transplantation and deceased donor liver transplantation: a comparative retrospective analysis of a single-center series.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to report our single-center experience with the use of basiliximab, in combination with a steroid and tacrolimus-based regimen in adult to adult living-related liver transplantation (ALRLT) and in deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT).


METHODS
Seventy-seven consecutive ALRLT recipients (group 1) and 244 DDLT recipients (group 2) were analyzed. All patients received 2 20-mg doses of basiliximab (days 0 and 4 after transplantation) followed by tacrolimus (0.15 mg/kg/d; 10-15 ng/mL target trough levels) and a dose regimen of steroids. Follow-up ranged from 4-1972 days after transplantation in group 1 and from 1-2741 days in group.


RESULTS
In group 1, 89.32% of the patients remained rejection-free during follow-up, with an actuarial rejection-free probability of 93.51% within 3 months. Actuarial patient survival rate at 3 years was 84.49%. In group 2, 86.07% of the patients remained rejection-free during follow-up, with an actuarial rejection-free probability of 93.04% within 3 months. Actuarial patient survival rate at 3 years was 87.69%. We observed 14 cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence in group 1 (prevalence of 26.92%) and 80 cases in group 2 (prevalence of 54.05%).


CONCLUSIONS
Basiliximab in association with tacrolimus and steroids is effective in reducing episodes of acute cellular rejection (ACR) and increasing ACR-free survival after ALRLT and DDLT. No difference in patient and graft survival was found between group 1 and 2, nor was there any difference in the incidence of ACR between the 2 groups. However, less risk of HCV recurrence was present in the LRLT group.
Viganò
J
J
Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Italy, Palermo, Italy.
Gruttadauria
S
S
Mandalà
L
L
Petridis
I
I
Cintorino
D
D
Li Petri
S
S
Varotti
G
G
Minervini
M
M
Volpes
R
R
Biondo
D
D
Vizzini
G
G
Marsh
W J
WJ
Marcos
A
A
Gridelli
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077552:Basiliximab; D002102:Cadaver; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005190:Family; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D019520:Living Donors; D011336:Probability; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014019:Tissue Donors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000077552:Basiliximab; D016559:Tacrolimus