Tacrolimus and azathioprine versus cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil after lung transplantation: a retrospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and safety of different combinations of immunosuppressive regimens after lung transplantation are unknown.


METHODS
We examined 120 consecutive transplant recipients between July 2001 and July 2005, of whom 37 received cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil (Cyc/MMF) and 83 received tacrolimus and azathioprine (Tac/Aza) as the initial immunosuppressive regimen along with an interleukin-2 antagonist induction therapy. The primary outcome was the rate of histologically confirmed acute rejection.


RESULTS
The rate of acute rejection did not vary by treatment regimen (0.42 vs 0.34 episodes per 100 person-days in Cyc/MMF and Tac/Aza groups, respectively, p = 0.22). The mean cumulative lymphocytic bronchiolitis score was greater in the Cyc/MMF group (1.8 +/- 1.9) compared with the Tac/Aza group (1.2 +/- 2.0; p = 0.03). Pulmonary function at 1 year was better in the Tac/Aza group, even when adjusted for recipient age, gender, and transplant procedure. Survival and the rate of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome did not vary by group.


CONCLUSIONS
Outcomes after lung transplantation did not meaningfully vary between those assigned to Cyc/MMF compared with Tac/Aza combined with IL-2 inhibitor induction therapy.
Celik
Muhammet R
MR
Department of Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
Lederer
David J
DJ
Wilt
Jessie
J
Eser
Dilek
D
Bacchetta
Matthew
M
D'Ovidio
Frank
F
Sonett
Joshua R
JR
Arcasoy
Selim M
SM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016572:Cyclosporine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine; D016559:Tacrolimus