title: De novo Prograf versus de novo Advagraf: are trough level profile curves similar?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to the clinical trials, Advagraf (ADV) has efficacy and safety profile similar to Prograf (PROG). The aim of this study was to compare the graft functions, dosages, and tacrolimus (TAC) trough level profile curves of patients on de novo PROG and ADV therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ADV group included 39 de novo renal cases who had received initial immunosuppression (IS) with once-daily TAC (1 × 0.2 mg/kg from day1 after transplantation). We compared them with a PROG group of 38 transplant patients who received equivalent IS with twice-daily TAC (2 × 0.1 mg/kg from day1). In both groups, the IS was combined with antimetabolites and steroids. The mean follow-up time was similar (13.5 ± 7 days) in both groups after renal transplantation until the emission of the patients from our clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TAC mean total daily dose was reduced and whole-blood trough levels decreased over the time in early postoperative days. Only on day 3 and day 4 after transplant, a significant higher adjustment in the ADV dosage was necessary to achieve sufficient TAC trough levels. The average TAC trough level profile curves were similar in PROG and ADV groups, but the individual curves were very different. Mainly in patients on ADV therapy, the initial concentrations were often >30 ng/mL, and in some cases on the 9th posttransplant day decreased to <5 ng/mL, then slowly increased into the required therapeutic range.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate that patients after renal transplantation can be safely treated de novo with ADV. Setting the required therapeutic TAC blood levels may require more attention to avoid the "fluctuations" of trough level profile curve during the early postoperative period. Our data suggest that dose adjustment of ADV can be carried out more carefully compared with PROG on the basis of clinical symptoms and the value of TAC blood levels to avoid acute rejection and toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: eniko.sarvary@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sarvary
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Telkes
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gaman
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gaal
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zs
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mathe
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chmel
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fehervari
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Transplantation and Surgical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Langer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus