Outcomes with conversion from calcineurin inhibitors to sirolimus after renal transplantation in the context of steroid withdrawal or steroid continuation.
BACKGROUND
A number of studies have suggested that conversion from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) to sirolimus (SRL) can improve graft function in renal transplant patients. None of these studies has converted patients to SRL in the absence of steroids.


METHODS
We describe our experience with 278 renal transplants of which 153 were converted from CNI to SRL. The majority of patients had steroids withdrawn after 6 days. Almost all patients received antithymocyte globulin induction and were maintained on mycophenolate mofetil.


RESULTS
Six months after conversion, patients remaining on SRL therapy had a mean increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate of 6.93 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P<0.0001) compared with preconversion values. SRL-converted patients analyzed by intention-to-treat increased estimated glomerular filtration rate by 5.00 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P=0.0005). Eighty-one percent of patients remaining on SRL had a successful conversion, defined as stable or improved renal function at 6 months. The only factor predictive of unsuccessful conversion was urine protein-to-creatinine ratio more than 1. The benefits of SRL conversion were seen in patients at high immunological risk as well as those at lower risk. Proteinuria increased by a mean of 0.1 (P=0.43) at 6 months. Thirty-six percent of SRL-converted patients experienced adverse effects requiring conversion back to CNI. Rates of rejection, graft loss, and patient death with SRL conversion were low.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from our clinical practice suggest that even in the absence of steroids, SRL conversion significantly improves renal function, with acceptable rates of adverse events.
Egbuna
Ogo I
OI
The Transplant Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Davis
Roger B
RB
Chudinski
Robyn
R
Pavlakis
Martha
M
Rogers
Christin
C
Molakatalla
Phani
P
Johnson
Scott R
SR
Karp
Seth
S
Monaco
Anthony P
AP
Tang
Hongying
H
Hanto
Douglas W
DW
Mandelbrot
Didier A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D020123:Sirolimus