Sirolimus-based calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal immunosuppressive regimen in kidney transplantation: a single center experience.
OBJECTIVE
This observational study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the conversion from calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) to sirolimus (SRL)-based immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplantation.


METHODS
Sixty-four kidney recipients of mean age 38.3 +/- 14.6 years were converted to SRL. The main reasons for conversion were elective in 45 (70.3%) and biopsy-proven chronic allograft nephropathy in 11 (17.2%). The primary CNI used was cyclosporine A in 51 patients. Mean time to conversion was 50.5 months. After conversion, 61 patients received mycophenolate mofetil. We evaluated the impact of conversion on renal function for 5 years post-conversion. The overall mean follow-up time was 72.8 months.


RESULTS
The analysis showed significant improvement in renal function at month 3 post-conversion (P < 0.05) with stabilization thereafter. Lipid parameters and blood sugar levels were similar pre- and post-conversion. Abnormal liver function test was transient in 12.8%. Reasons for SRL discontinuation were nephrotic range proteinuria in two patients and mouth ulceration in one. We compared patients with serum creatinine <140 micromol/l and those with serum creatinine > or = 140 micromol/l, and found that serum creatinine was an independent risk factor for chronic allograft dysfunction (P = 0.02). Graft loss occurred in three patients because of cardiovascular death in two and an acute rejection episode in one.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that conversion from CNIs to SRL is an option and of benefit without significant acute rejection episodes or chronic allograft dysfunction especially in well-selected kidney transplant recipients with good graft function.
Nephrology and Transplant Unit, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Medical College, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. salarrayed@yahoo.com
Sameer M
SM
Alarrayed
Amgad E
AE
El-Agroudy
Ahmad S
AS
Alarrayed
Sumaya M
SM
Al Ghareeb
Taysir S
TS
Garadah
Salah Y
SY
El-Sharqawi
Ali H
AH
Al-Aradi
Balaji G
BG
Dandi
Sadiq
S
Abdulla
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003404:Creatinine; D020123:Sirolimus