title: Clinical experience of conversion from cyclosporine to tacrolimus prolonged-release in stabilized kidney transplant patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The CONCERTO study results showing the beneficial effects of conversion from cyclosporine to tacrolimus prolonged-release (tacrolimus PR) in stabilised patients after kidney transplantation, were first published in 2011. This communication describes our first experience of conversion from cyclosporine to tacrolimus PR in stabilised kidney transplant patients. The aim was to determine whether it could be used in routine clinical practice in the Czech and Slovak Republics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation was carried out at five transplantation centres in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In all participating Centres, the drug conversion was conducted according to the ICH/GCP guidelines. A total of 104 patients stabilised after kidney transplantation were converted from maintenance therapy with cyclosporine to treatment with tacrolimus PR. The data were collected 26 weeks after the switch. The primary endpoint was change in kidney graft function measured from the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The effect of conversion on blood pressure, metabolic parameters and cosmetic changes was also recorded. Special attention was paid to the safety and tolerability of treatment with tacrolimus PR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GFR increased after six months by 10 % (P = 0.040). In addition a significant decrease in serum creatinine and triglycerides level was found together with major reduction in the incidence and severity of gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism. 3% of patients developed new onset of diabetes mellitus. Otherwise, the switch was very well-tolerated, without serious adverse events or acute rejections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conversion from cyclosporine to tacrolimus PR was shown to be a safe therapeutic alternative with patient benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III - Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krejci
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III - Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zadrazil
authors.affiliation: Transplant Centre, University Hospital F.D. Roosevelta, Banska Bystrica, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lackova
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology with the Centre for kidney transplant, Academician Derer University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zilinska
authors.affiliation: Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis, Kosice, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roland
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Transplant Centre, University Hospital Martin, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dedinska
mesh_terms: D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D057915:Drug Substitution; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005885:Gingival Hyperplasia / Q000209:etiology; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000209:etiology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D016559:Tacrolimus
keywords: cyclosporine; immunosuppressive conversion; kidney transplantation; tacrolimus prolonged-release