Rapamycin instead of mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine in treatment of post-renal transplantation urothelial carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Malignant tumor is the most common complication occurred in transplant recipients. It is widely recognized that immunosuppressive treatments increase the risk of cancer in transplant recipients. The efficacy and safety of rapamycin (RPM) in combination with low-dose calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) in treating 15 renal allograft recipients which developed urothelial carcinoma were observed.


METHODS
Immunosuppressive regimen in all recipients was altered with rapamycin to replace mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine (Aza). The initial loading dosage was 2 mg/d, and the next dosage was 1 mg/d. The dosage of rapamycin was carefully adjusted according to the blood drug level and concentration of the drug was maintained at 4 - 6 microg/L. In all the 15 patients, the calcineurin inhibitor was reduced down to one third of the original dosage after the rapamycin blood concentration became stable. Surgical treatment and intravesical instillation chemotherapy were carried out in all patients. Recurrence of the tumor was monitored throughout the study. Post-transplant renal function and side effects were also closely monitored.


RESULTS
Among the 15 patients, 9 had no tumor recurrence in 2 years, 2 had tumor recurrences twice, and 4 had once. There was no acute rejection observed during RPM treatment. Post-transplant renal function in 11 patients was improved, with a decreased creatinine level. Hyperlipoidemia and thrombocytopenia were the most frequent adverse events which responded well to corresponding treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the renal allograft recipients with urothelial carcinoma, combination of rapamycin and low dose calcineurin inhibitor treatment is effective and safe.
Hu
Xiao-peng
XP
Department of Urology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Ma
Lin-lin
LL
Wang
Yong
Y
Yin
Hang
H
Wang
Wei
W
Yang
Xiao-yong
XY
Zhang
Xiao-dong
XD
D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D019459:Urothelium / Q000473:pathology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine; D020123:Sirolimus