Corticosteroid withdrawal under tacrolimus primary and rescue therapy in renal transplantation: the Chicago experience

Corticosteroid reduction with tacrolimus (CORRETA) TRIAL: a prospective Brazilian multicenter, randomized trial of early corticosteroid reduction versus regular corticosteroid dosage maintenance on a tacrolimus (Prograf) and mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) immunosuppression regimen in kidney transplant recipients: interim analysis

Corticosteroids are a cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplantation despite their side effects and morbidity. Newer immunosuppressive agents may be more effective to allow corticosteroid sparing. An interim analysis of 60 completed out of 100 planned primary kidney transplant recipients is presented. All patients on tacrolimus (Prograf) and MMF (Cellcept) were randomized into two groups following a 1:1 distribution for early steroid reduction at posttransplant day 7 (G1; n = 31) versus to long-term maintenance steroids (G2; n = 29). Primary efficacy endpoints were composite endpoint of death, graft loss, or severe acute rejection at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Safety evaluation included severity and frequency of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, leukopenia, infection, malignancy, and severe adverse events. Mean age was 39.1 years, with 45.0% males and 66.7% Caucasians. African-Americans were 25.8% in G1 and 27.6% in G2. One death occurred in each group, as well as one case of severe (Banff III) rejection in G1 (P = 1.00). The incidence of rejection episodes between groups was not significant, namely, 41.9% in G1 and 20.7% in G2 (P = .077). There were no differences between groups concerning mean, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, or creatinine at 12 months. This interim analysis showed no evidence of an increased risk of poorer performance among the early steroid reduction or safety differences in kidney transplant recipients versus a regular dosage steroid group of patients. Further analysis of the complete study data is underway.

A prospective, pilot study of early corticosteroid cessation in high-immunologic-risk patients: the Cincinnati experience

BACKGROUND

The first prospective trial of steroid withdrawal dedicated to high-immunologic-risk patients is reported herein.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients were enrolled prospectively in an IRB-approved HIPAA-compliant protocol. Immunosuppression included corticosteroid withdrawal (CSWD) at 7 days, tacrolimus (target trough level 4 to 8 ng/mL), sirolimus (target trough level 8 to 12 ng/mL), and Mycophenolate Mofetil (2 g/d). Induction with daclizumab (2 mg/kg) on posttransplant days (PTD) 0 and 14 was administered to the first 10 patients. The protocol for the next 15 patients was modified because of high acute rejection rates to include received T-cell-depleting antibody induction therapy with thymoglobulin (1.5 mg/kg) on PTDs 0 and 2 followed by daclizumab on Postoperative day (POD) 14. Recipient inclusion criteria included: (1) repeat transplant recipients; or (2) patients with a peak PRA > or =25%. All rejection episodes were diagnosed by biopsy and graded using Banff '97 criteria.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were enrolled and median follow-up was 402 days. Forty percent of recipients were black, 68% of patients were repeat transplant recipients, 68% received deceased donor kidneys, and 36% had a peak flow PRA >25%. Overall acute rejection, graft survival, and patient survival rates of 40%, 88%, and 96%, respectively, were observed for the duration of the study. Acute rejection occurred in 6 of 10 patients (60%) with daclizumab induction; however, acute rejection rates fell to 27% when thymoglobulin was introduced (P = .1).

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports our previous observations in a multivariate analysis of early CSWD patients, wherein polyclonal antibody induction therapy reduced acute rejection. High-immunologic-risk patients may be able to undergo early CSWD with acceptable rates of acute rejection.

Increased risk of post-transplant diabetes mellitus despite early steroid discontinuation in Hispanic kidney transplant recipients

Early steroid discontinuation (ESD) has been associated with a lower incidence of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM). We retrospectively reviewed the incidence of PTDM in relation to racial groups in kidney transplant recipients treated with ESD. Between January 2002 and September 2003, 125 consecutive primary adult kidney transplants were performed. Group A (n = 91) had steroids discontinued on postoperative day 6 and maintenance immunosuppression of Tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Group B (n = 34), received the same immunosuppression but was maintained on steroids indefinitely. Induction consisted of thymoglobulin in African-Americans; all others received Simulect. At 1 yr, patient/graft survival, serum creatinine and rate of acute rejection were similar in both groups. The incidence of PTDM was significantly lower in group A (7%) compared with group B (26%, p = 0.0209). The incidence of PTDM in group A was limited to Hispanic patients with a family history of diabetes mellitus. African-Americans and Caucasians in group A did not experience PTDM (p = 0.005 compared with African-American in group B). Our steroid free protocol nearly eliminated the incidence of PTDM in African-Americans and Caucasians, but was still associated with significant rate of PTDM in Hispanic recipients. Alternative immunosuppression may benefit this population.

Effect of Race on the Occurence of Posttransplant Diabetes in Kidney Transplant Recipients Treated With Early Steroid Discontinuation

INTRODUCTION

Early steroid discontinuation (within 5 days after transplant) has been associated with a lower incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM). A retrospective study was done to assess the incidence of PDTM in relation to racial groups in kidney transplant recipients who received early steroid discontinuation.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and January 2004, 125 consecutive, primary adult kidney transplant recipients (51 cadaveric donor, 74 living donor) were performed at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The first 34 recipients were treated with steroid maintenance therapy, while the remaining 91 underwent early steroid discontinuation. Group A (n = 91) had steroids discontinued on postoperative day 6 and maintenance immunosuppression consisting of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Group B (n = 34) received the same immunosuppression but was maintained on steroids indefinitely. Induction consisted of Thymoglobulin in African-Americans; all others received Simulect.

RESULTS

At 1 year, patient and graft survivals were similar in both groups; there was a trend for reduction of acute rejection rates in group A (4% vs 12%). The incidence of PTDM was significantly lower in group A (7%) compared to group B (26%; P = .0209). The incidence of PTDM in group A was limited to Hispanic patients. African-Americans and Caucasians in group A did not experience PTDM (P = .005 compared to African-Americans in group B).

CONCLUSION

A steroid-free protocol virtually eliminated the incidence of PTDM in African-Americans and Caucasians but had no effect on the development of PTDM in Hispanic recipients. Alternative immunosuppression may benefit this population.

African-American renal transplant recipients benefit from early corticosteroid withdrawal under modern immunosuppression

African-Americans (AAs) have historically been considered high-risk renal transplant recipients due to increased rejection rates and reduced long-term graft survival. As a result, AAs are often excluded from corticosteroid withdrawal (CSWD) protocols. Modern immunosuppression has reduced rejections and improved graft survival in AAs and may allow successful CSWD. Outcomes in 56 AAs were compared to 56 non-AAs. All patients were enrolled in one of four early CSWD protocols. Results are reported as AA versus non-AA. Acute rejection at 1-year was 23% and 18%; (p = NS); creatinine clearance at 1-year was 75 versus 80 mL/min (p = NS); patient and graft survival was 96% versus 98% and 91% versus 91%; (p = NS). AAs benefit from early CSWD with significantly improved blood pressure, LDL < 130 mg/dL and HDL > 45 mg/dL at 1-year, post-transplant diabetes of 8.7%, and mean weight change at 1-year of 4.8 +/- 7.2 kg. In conclusion, early CSWD in AAs is associated with acceptable rejection rates, excellent patient and graft survival, and improved cardiovascular risk, indicating that the risks and benefits of early CSWD are similar between AAs and non-AAs. Additional follow-up is needed to determine long-term renal function, graft survival, and cardiovascular risk in AAs with early CSWD.

Steroid Withdrawal in Renal Transplant Patients on Triple Therapy with a Calcineurin Inhibitor and Mycophenolate Mofetil: A Meta-analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Two previous meta-analyses of randomized, controlled trials of steroid withdrawal after renal transplantation have shown significant increases in acute rejection (both analyses) and graft failure rates (the last analysis). A new examination of this topic including only randomized, controlled trials based on currently used, new, potent therapy with calcineurin inhibitors and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), avoiding early trials with azathioprine, is justified.

METHODS

Steroid withdrawal in patients on triple therapy including a calcineurin inhibitor and MMF was assessed through meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials in which intention-to-treat rates of acute rejection and renal allograft failure were established after steroid withdrawal or continuation.

RESULTS

Six trials were included, four in patients receiving cyclosporine and two in patients receiving tacrolimus. The risk ratio (RR) for acute rejection was 2.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-3.16; P < 0.00001) and the pooled risk difference (RD) was 0.08 (95% CI, 0.05-0.11; P < 0.001), indicating that the proportion of patients with acute rejection after prednisone withdrawal was significantly higher compared with controls. The RR for graft failure was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.42-1.28; P = 0.27) and the RD was -0.01 (95% CI, -0.03-0.01; P = 0.28), indicating that the proportion of patients with graft failure after withdrawal was not significantly different from that observed in controls. Total cholesterol was significantly lower after steroid withdrawal (weighted mean difference, -0.53 microM (95% CI, -0.70 to -0.36; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Renal allograft recipients on triple therapy with a calcineurin inhibitor, MMF, and steroids are at low but significant risk of acute rejection after steroid withdrawal but do not suffer an increased risk of early graft failure. It is necessary to extend controlled follow-up to confirm graft function stabilization.

Posttransplant diabetes mellitus in kidney allograft recipients: incidence, risk factors, and management

BACKGROUND

Posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), associated with the use of immunosuppressants, occurs at varying rates in kidney transplant recipients.

METHODS

Five transplant centers conducted a retrospective review of 435 kidney recipients completing at least 6 months of follow-up to determine risk factors, incidence, and management strategies for posttransplant glucose intolerance. A distinction was made between hyperglycemia and diabetes.

RESULTS

The incidence of PTDM was found to be 4.9%. Among tacrolimus-treated patients it was 5.7%, compared with 3.3% among cyclosporine-treated patients (P=0.453). Mean daily maintenance doses of prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were significantly lower in tacrolimus-treated patients. Significantly more tacrolimus-treated patients were prednisone-free (9.0%/0%; P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the absence of an antiproliferative agent correlated with the development of PTDM (odds ratio=3.56; P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this study, we propose management guidelines specifically for glucose intolerance developing after renal transplantation. Maintenance of blood glucose levels within strict limits is recommended, and the contribution of immunosuppressive agents to the development of PTDM is accounted for. Gradual tapering of prednisone and tacrolimus is proposed for patients who develop PTDM but also bear minimal risk of rejection. Tapering and eventual withdrawal of insulin should be attempted once blood glucose levels normalize. Switching to the alternative calcineurin inhibitor should only be considered as a late intervention. Tacrolimus therapy should be considered even in patients at high risk for diabetes, because the benefit of reduced acute rejection incidence and severity, as demonstrated in other studies, outweighs the risk of PTDM.

Tacrolimus: a further update of its pharmacology and therapeutic use in the management of organ transplantation

Tacrolimus (FK-506) is an immunosuppressant agent that acts by a variety of different mechanisms which include inhibition of calcineurin. It is used as a therapeutic alternative to cyclosporin, and therefore represents a cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplant recipients. Tacrolimus is now well established for primary immunosuppression in liver and kidney transplantation, and experience with its use in other types of solid organ transplantation, including heart, lung, pancreas and intestinal, as well as its use for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), is rapidly accumulating. Large randomised nonblind multicentre studies conducted in the US and Europe in both liver and kidney transplantation showed similar patient and graft survival rates between treatment groups (although rates were numerically higher with tacrolimus- versus cyclosporin-based immunosuppression in adults with liver transplants), and a consistent statistically significant advantage for tacrolimus with respect to acute rejection rate. Chronic rejection rates were also significantly lower with tacrolimus in a large randomised liver transplantation trial, and a trend towards a lower rate of chronic rejection was noted with tacrolimus in a large multicentre renal transplantation study. In general, a similar trend in overall efficacy has been demonstrated in a number of additional clinical trials comparing tacrolimus- with cyclosporin-based immunosuppression in various types of transplantation. One notable exception is in BMT, where a large randomised trial showed significantly better 2-year patient survival with cyclosporin over tacrolimus, which was primarily attributed to patients with advanced haematological malignancies at the time of (matched sibling donor) BMT. These survival results in BMT require further elucidation. Tacrolimus has also demonstrated efficacy in various types of transplantation as rescue therapy in patients who experience persistent acute rejection (or significant adverse effect's) with cyclosporin-based therapy, whereas cyclosporin has not demonstrated a similar capacity to reverse refractory acute rejection. A corticosteroid-sparing effect has been demonstrated in several studies with tacrolimus, which may be a particularly useful consideration in children receiving transplants. The differences in the tolerability profiles of tacrolimus and cyclosporin may well be an influential factor in selecting the optimal treatment for patients undergoing organ transplantation. Although both drugs have a similar degree of nephrotoxicity, cyclosporin has a higher incidence of significant hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, hirsutism and gingival hyperplasia, while tacrolimus has a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus, some types of neurotoxicity (e.g. tremor, paraesthesia), diarrhoea and alopecia.

CONCLUSION

Tacrolimus is an important therapeutic option for the optimal individualisation of immunosuppressive therapy in transplant recipients.