Trough level from twice daily to once daily tacrolimus in early conversion kidney transplant recipients: a prospective study

Tacrolimus Formulation, Exposure Variability, and Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have compared within-patient variability measures of tacrolimus trough levels by formulation and assessed within-patient variability on outcomes of kidney transplant recipients.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

(1) To compare within-patient variability of trough levels when converting from twice-daily to once-daily tacrolimus using standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and intrapatient variability percent. (2) To use the 3 measures of variability to examine the relationship between tacrolimus once-daily within-patient variability and total graft failure (i.e., return to chronic dialysis, pre-emptive retransplant, death with graft function).

DESIGN

In this observational cohort study, within-patient variability of trough levels pre- and post-conversion from twice-daily to once-daily tacrolimus were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Graft outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

In 463 patients, within-patient variability differences pre- and post-conversion of median standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and intrapatient variability percent were -0.16 (P = 0.09), -0.01 (P = 0.52), and -1.41 (P = 0.32), respectively. Post-conversion, every 1 unit increase in within-patient variability standard deviation and intrapatient variability percent and every 0.1 unit increase in the coefficient of variation was associated with an increased hazard ratio [1.19 (P = 0.004), 1.02 (P = 0.030), 1.13 (P = 0.001), respectively] of total graft failure. Post-conversion, within-patient variability above cohort medians using standard deviation and coefficient of variation had a significantly higher risk of total graft failure.

DISCUSSION

Under a program-wide conversion, no significant difference was observed in within-patient variability post-conversion from twice-daily to once-daily tacrolimus using the three measures of variability. High within-patient variability was associated with adverse transplant outcomes post-conversion.

Bioavailability of once-daily tacrolimus formulations used in clinical practice in the management of De Novo kidney transplant recipients: the better study

Multicenter, prospective, observational study to compare the relative bioavailability of once‐daily tacrolimus formulations in de novo kidney transplant recipients. De novo kidney transplant recipients who started a tacrolimus‐based regimen were included 14 days post‐transplant and followed up for 6 months. Data from 218 participants were evaluated: 129 in the LCPT group (Envarsus) and 89 in the PR‐Tac (Advagraf) group. Patients in the LCPT group exhibited higher relative bioavailability (C_min /total daily dose [TDD]) vs. PR‐Tac (61% increase; P < .001) with similar C_min and 30% lower TDD levels (P < .0001). The incidence of treatment failure was 3.9% in the LCPT group and 9.0% in the PR‐Tac group (P = .117). Study discontinuation rates were 6.2% in the LCPT group and 12.4% in the PR‐Tac group (P = .113). Adverse events, renal function and other complications were comparable between groups. The median accumulated dose of tacrolimus in the LCPT group from day 14 to month 6 was 889 mg. Compared to PR‐Tac, LCPT showed higher relative bioavailability, similar effectiveness at preventing allograft rejection, comparable effect on renal function, safety, adherence, treatment failure and premature discontinuation rates.

Trough Level and Tacrolimus Variability of Early Converted Once-Daily Tacrolimus: 1-Year Follow-up Study

INTRODUCTION

Long-term transplant outcomes are considered a crucial point for kidney transplantation. Follow-up studies in patients receiving early conversion to once-daily tacrolimus (TAC-OD) are still limited. We aimed to investigate tacrolimus trough level (C_min), intrapatient variability of tacrolimus dose-normalized C_min (TAC-C_min/D), along with other outcomes between twice-daily tacrolimus (TAC-BID) and early converted TAC-OD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was a single center, retrospective, cohort study. All new kidney transplant patients who received tacrolimus and presented an estimated glomerular filtration rate of more than 45 mL/min/1.73 m² on the day of hospital discharge were included. Studied patients were divided into the standard TAC-BID and patients who were converted from TAC-BID to TAC-OD on the day of hospital discharge. We followed patients for 1 year after transplantation.

RESULTS

At the first follow-up visit, C_min of TAC-OD was significantly lower than that of TAC-BID. However, C_min and estimated glomerular filtration rate were comparable between TAC-BID and TAC-OD throughout 1-year follow-up. TAC-OD also provided a lower intrapatient variability of TAC-C_min/D compared with TAC-BID when observed after 6 months post transplantation (17.40% and 23.27% for TAC-OD and TAC-BID, respectively; P = .13). The renal function, as well as other adverse outcomes, was similar between 2 formulations.

DISCUSSION

TAC-OD provided a similar C_min with comparable renal function compared with TAC-BID during 1-year follow-up. In addition, TAC-OD is likely to have a benefit of a lower intrapatient variability of tacrolimus.

CONCLUSION

Early conversion from TAC-BID to TAC-OD with 1:1 ratio can be used with close long-term monitoring.

Conversion From Twice-Daily to Once-Daily Tacrolimus Among Egyptian Living-Donor Kidney Allograft Recipients: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

Adherence to immunosuppression and minimization of drug exposure are important con-siderations in preventing rejection and maximizing transplant outcomes. The once-daily tacrolimus protocol confers potential benefit by simplifying immunosuppressive regimens, thereby improving adherence among transplant recipients. Studies of stable transplant recipients have suggested that once-daily tacrolimus is bioequivalent to twice-daily tacrolimus and is noninferior to twice-daily tacrolimus with a concentration-dependent rejection risk. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of conversion from twice-daily tacrolimus formulation to a once-daily formulation among a cohort of adult living related-donor renal transplant patients as a single-center experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, one arm, single-center study included 238 patients with at least 12 months posttransplant follow-up and no rejection episodes in the last 3 months. Conversion from twice-daily to once-daily formulation was based on a 1:1 ratio.

RESULTS

The mean tacrolimus dose was 4.7 ± 2.7 mg/day preconversion versus 4.9 ± 3.2 mg/day postconversion (P = .8). The mean tacrolimus level was 7.4 ± 3.4 versus 6.1 ± 2.8 ng/mL (P = .75). Of total patients, 45% were maintained on a tacrolimus dose of less than 2 ng/dL. Renal function was comparable before and after conversion (mean serum creatinine was 1.25 ± 0.88 vs 1.23 ± 0.78 mg/dL; P = .9). The incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection was 19.7% preconversion versus 4.2% postconversion. Graft and patient survival rates were comparable between the 2 tacrolimus formulations. Once-daily tacrolimus also had favorable effects on blood pressure, lipid profile, and glucose tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

Conversion from conventional tacrolimus (twice daily) to once-daily tacrolimus may be a valuable option with comparable patient and graft survival and may lead to improved adherence that may be reflective of better long-term results. It should be considered for de novo immunosuppression among living-donor renal allotransplant recipients.