Five-year outcomes in kidney transplant patients randomized to everolimus with cyclosporine withdrawal or low-exposure cyclosporine versus standard therapy

Allograft Function as Endpoint for Clinical Trials in Kidney Transplantation

Clinical study endpoints that assess the efficacy of interventions in patients with chronic renal insufficiency can be adopted for use in kidney transplantation trials, given the pathophysiological similarities between both conditions. Kidney dysfunction is reflected in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and although a predefined (e.g., 50%) reduction in GFR was recommended as an endpoint by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2016, many other endpoints are also included in clinical trials. End-stage renal disease is strongly associated with a change in estimated (e)GFR, and eGFR trajectories or slopes are increasingly used as endpoints in clinical intervention trials in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Similar approaches could be considered for clinical trials in kidney transplantation, although several factors should be taken into account. The present Consensus Report was developed from documentation produced by the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) as part of a Broad Scientific Advice request that ESOT submitted to the EMA in 2020. This paper provides a contemporary discussion of primary endpoints used in clinical trials involving CKD, including proteinuria and albuminuria, and evaluates the validity of these concepts as endpoints for clinical trials in kidney transplantation.

Rationale for Surrogate Endpoints and Conditional Marketing Authorization of New Therapies for Kidney Transplantation

Conditional marketing authorization (CMA) facilitates timely access to new drugs for illnesses with unmet clinical needs, such as late graft failure after kidney transplantation. Late graft failure remains a serious, burdensome, and life-threatening condition for recipients. This article has been developed from content prepared by members of a working group within the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) for a Broad Scientific Advice request, submitted by ESOT to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and reviewed by the EMA in 2020. The article presents the rationale for using surrogate endpoints in clinical trials aiming at improving late graft failure rates, to enable novel kidney transplantation therapies to be considered for CMA and improve access to medicines. The paper also provides background data to illustrate the relationship between primary and surrogate endpoints. Developing surrogate endpoints and a CMA strategy could be particularly beneficial for studies where the use of primary endpoints would yield insufficient statistical power or insufficient indication of long-term benefit following transplantation.

Risk Factors of Rejection in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Narrative Review

Multiple factors influence graft rejection after kidney transplantation. Pre-operative factors affecting graft function and survival include donor and recipient characteristics such as age, gender, race, and immunologic compatibility. In addition, several peri- and post-operative parameters affect graft function and rejection, such as cold and warm ischemia times, and post-operative immunosuppressive treatment. Exposure to non-self-human leucocyte antigens (HLAs) prior to transplantation up-regulates the recipient’s immune system. A higher rate of acute rejection is observed in transplant recipients with a history of pregnancies or significant exposure to blood products because these patients have higher panel reactive antibody (PRA) levels. Identifying these risk factors will help physicians to reduce the risk of allograft rejection, thereby promoting graft survival. In the current review, we summarize the existing literature on donor- and recipient-related risk factors of graft rejection and graft loss following kidney transplantation.

Managing immunosuppressive therapy in potentially cured post-kidney transplant cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer): overview of the available evidence and guidance for shared decision making

Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have increased incidence of de novo cancers. After having undergone treatment for cancer with curative intent, reducing the overall immunosuppressive load and/or switching to an alternative drug regimen may potentially be of great benefit to avoid cancer recurrence, but should be balanced against the risks of rejection and/or severe adverse events. The TLJ (Transplant Learning Journey) project is an initiative from the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT). This article reports a systematic literature search undertaken by TLJ Workstream 3 to answer the questions: (1) Should we decrease the overall anti‐rejection therapy in potentially cured post‐kidney transplant cancer (excluding non‐melanoma skin cancer)? (2) Should we switch to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) in potentially cured post‐kidney transplant cancer (excluding non‐melanoma skin cancer)? The literature search revealed insufficient solid data on which to base recommendations, so this review additionally presents an extensive overview of the indirect evidence on the benefits versus risks of alterations in immunosuppressive medication. We hope this summary will help transplant physicians advise KTRs on how best to continue with anti‐rejection therapy after receiving cancer treatment with curative intent, and aid shared decision‐making, ensuring that patient preferences are taken into account.

Calcineurin Inhibitors Nephrotoxicity Prevention Strategies With Stress on Belatacept-Based Rescue Immunotherapy: A Review of the Current Evidence

BACKGROUND

A traditional narrative review was performed to evaluate clinical studies that have examined the clinical implications, risk factors, and prevention of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) nephrotoxicity with stress on a belatacept-based rescue regimen.

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCO (Academic Search Ultimate), ProQuest (Central), and Excerpta Medical databases and Google scholar were searched using the keywords (CNI AND Nephrotoxicity prevention) OR ("Calcineurin inhibitor" AND Nephrotoxicity) OR (Tacrolimus AND Nephrotoxicity) OR (Ciclosporin AND Nephrotoxicity) OR (cyclosporine AND Nephrotoxicity) OR (Belatacept) OR (CNI Conversion) for the period from 1990 to 2020. Fifty-five related articles and reviews were found.

CONCLUSION

A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity could help in the individualization of therapy for and prevention of CNI nephrotoxicity. Identification of high-risk patients for CNI nephrotoxicity before renal transplantation enables better use and selection of immunosuppression with reduced adverse effects and, eventually, successful treatment of the kidney recipients. Belatacept conversion is a good and safe option in patients with deteriorating renal function attributed to CNI nephrotoxicity.

Update on Treatment of Hypertension After Renal Transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To incorporate novel findings on pathophysiology and treatment of posttransplant hypertension.

RECENT FINDINGS

(1) The sodium retaining effects of CNIs are mediated by stimulation of the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride co-transporter in the distal convoluted tubule and in this regard chlorthalidone was proven to be an effective antihypertensive drug in renal transplantation. (2) Local and not systemic activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of posttransplant hypertension. (3) Recent randomized controlled trials failed to prove the presumed superiority of renin-angiotensin blockers in kidney transplantation. (4) Steroid-free and mammalian target of rapamycin-based immunosuppressive drug combinations did not show favorable effects on blood pressure control. (5) In a recent report the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer was higher with thiazide diuretics. But the increased cancer risk in transplant recipients is mainly attributed to comorbidities, such as diabetes and hypertension and of course to the transplantation condition itself or the obligatory application of immunosuppression, and has little to do with the antihypertensive medication Actual recommendations about BP targets in adult renal transplant recipients are coming from a post hoc analysis of a large randomized trial with another primary endpoint. Unless convincing studies on treatment of hypertension after renal transplantation are available, the ESC/ESH Guidelines 2018 should apply for these patients.

Early conversion to a CNI-free immunosuppression with SRL after renal transplantation-Long-term follow-up of a multicenter trial

Introduction

Early conversion to a CNI-free immunosuppression with SRL was associated with an improved 1- and 3- yr renal function as compared with a CsA-based regimen in the SMART-Trial. Mixed results were reported on the occurrence of donor specific antibodies under mTOR-Is. Here, we present long-term results of the SMART-Trial.

Methods and materials

N = 71 from 6 centers (n = 38 SRL and n = 33 CsA) of the original SMART-Trial (ITT n = 140) were enrolled in this observational, non-interventional extension study to collect retrospectively and prospectively follow-up data for the interval since baseline. Primary objective was the development of dnDSA. Blood samples were collected on average 8.7 years after transplantation.

Results

Development of dnDSA was not different (SRL 5/38, 13.2% vs. CsA 9/33, 27.3%; P = 0.097). GFR remained improved under SRL with 64.37 ml/min/1.73m² vs. 53.19 ml/min/1.73m² (p = 0.044). Patient survival did not differ between groups at 10 years. There was a trend towards a reduced graft failure rate (11.6% SRL vs. 23.9% CsA, p = 0.064) and less tumors under SRL (2.6% SRL vs. 15.2% CsA, p = 0.09).

Conclusions

An early conversion to SRL did not result in an increased incidence of dnDSA nor increased long-term risk for the recipient. Transplant function remains improved with benefits for the graft survival.

Pathological Characteristics of Periodontal Disease in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplantation

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognized as an irreversible reduction of functional nephrons and leads to an increased risk of various pathological conditions, including cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders, such as coronary artery calcification, hypertension, and stroke. In addition, CKD patients have impaired immunity against bacteria and viruses. Conversely, kidney transplantation (KT) is performed for patients with end-stage renal disease as a renal replacement therapy. Although kidney function is almost normalized by KT, immunosuppressive therapy is essential to maintain kidney allograft function and to prevent rejection. However, these patients are more susceptible to infection due to the immunosuppressive therapy required to maintain kidney allograft function. Thus, both CKD and KT present disadvantages in terms of suppression of immune function. Periodontal disease is defined as a chronic infection and inflammation of oral and periodontal tissues. Periodontal disease is characterized by the destruction of connective tissues of the periodontium and alveolar bone, which may lead to not only local symptoms but also systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and several types of cancer. In addition, the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease are significantly associated with mortality. Many researchers pay special attention to the pathological roles and clinical impact of periodontal disease in patients with CKD or KT. In this review, we provide information regarding important modulators of periodontal disease to better understand the relationship between periodontal disease and CKD and/or KT. Furthermore; we evaluate the impact of periodontal disease on various pathological conditions in patients with CKD and KT. Moreover, pathogens of periodontal disease common to CKD and KT are also discussed. Finally, we examine the importance of periodontal care in these patients. Thus, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathological roles and clinical significance of periodontal disease in patients with CKD and KT.