Induction therapy and mTOR inhibition: minimizing calcineurin inhibitor exposure in de novo renal transplant patients

A 3-month, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label Study to Evaluate the Impact on Wound Healing of the Early (vs Delayed) Introduction of Everolimus in De Novo Kidney Transplant Recipients, With a Follow-up Evaluation at 12 Months After Transplant (NEVERWOUND Study)

BACKGROUND

The risk of wound healing complications (WHCs) and the early use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors after kidney transplantation (KT) have not been fully addressed.

METHODS

The NEVERWOUND study is a 3-month, multicenter, randomized, open-label study designed to evaluate whether a delayed (ie, 28 ± 4 d posttransplant) immunosuppression regimen based on everolimus (EVR) reduces the risk of WHC versus EVR started immediately after KT. Secondary endpoints were treatment failure (biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss, or death), delayed graft function, patient and graft survival rates, and renal function.

RESULTS

Overall, 394 KT recipients were randomized to receive immediate (N = 197) or delayed (N = 197) EVR after KT. At 3 months, WHC-free rates in the immediate EVR versus delayed EVR arm, considering the worst- and best-case scenario approach, were 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-0.75) versus 0.62 (95% CI, 0.55-0.68) (log-rank P = 0.56) and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64-0.77) versus 0.72 (95% CI, 0.65-0.78) (log-rank P = 0.77), respectively. The 3- and 12-month treatment failure rates, delayed graft function and renal function, and patient and graft survival were not different between the arms.

CONCLUSIONS

The early introduction of EVR after KT did not increase the risk of WHC, showing good efficacy and safety profile.

Cytomegalovirus in solid organ transplant recipients-Guidelines of the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common opportunistic infections that affect the outcome of solid organ transplantation. This updated guideline from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice provides evidence-based and expert recommendations for screening, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CMV in solid organ transplant recipients. CMV serology to detect immunoglobulin G remains as the standard method for pretransplant screening of donors and transplant candidates. Antiviral prophylaxis and preemptive therapy are the mainstays of CMV prevention. The lack of a widely applicable viral load threshold for diagnosis and preemptive therapy is highlighted, as a result of variability of CMV nucleic acid testing, even in the contemporary era when calibrators are standardized. Valganciclovir and intravenous ganciclovir remain as drugs of choice for CMV management. Strategies for managing drug-resistant CMV infection are presented. There is an increasing use of CMV-specific cell-mediated immune assays to stratify the risk of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation, but their role in optimizing CMV prevention and treatment efforts has yet to be demonstrated. Specific issues related to pediatric transplant recipients are discussed.

Cardiovascular Parameters to 2 years After Kidney Transplantation Following Early Switch to Everolimus Without Calcineurin Inhibitor Therapy: An Analysis of the Randomized ELEVATE Study

BACKGROUND

Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors may confer cardioprotective advantages, but clinical data are limited.

METHODS

In the open-label ELEVATE trial, kidney transplant patients were randomized at 10 to 14 weeks after transplant to convert from calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) to everolimus or remain on standard CNI therapy. Prespecified end points included left ventricular mass index and, in a subpopulation of patients, arterial stiffness as measured by pulse wave velocity.

RESULTS

The mean change in left ventricular mass index from randomization was similar with everolimus versus CNI (month 24, -4.37 g/m versus -5.26 g/m; mean difference, 0.89 [p = 0.392]). At month 24, left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 41.7% versus 37.7% of everolimus and CNI patients, respectively. Mean pulse wave velocity remained stable with both everolimus (mean change from randomization to month 12, -0.24 m/s; month 24, -0.03 m/s) and CNI (month 12, 0.11 m/s; month 24, 0.16 m/s). The change in mean ambulatory nighttime blood pressure from randomization showed a benefit for diastolic pressure at month 12 (P = 0.039) but not at month 24. Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 1.1% and 4.2% of everolimus-treated and CNI-treated patients, respectively, by month 12 (P = 0.018) and 2.3% (8/353) and 4.5% by month 24 (P = 0.145).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these data do not suggest a clinically relevant effect on cardiac end points after early conversion from CNI to a CNI-free everolimus-based regimen.

Sirolimus Associated with Tacrolimus at Low Doses in Elderly Kidney Transplant Patients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

There is no consensus on the best immunosuppressive regimen for elderly renal transplant recipients. The objective of this study was to assess cytomegalovirus infection incidence and kidney transplant outcomes in elderly recipients treated with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors sirolimus/ tacrolimus at low doses compared with those receiving tacrolimus/mycophenolate sodium.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this single-center prospective randomized study (Trial Registration No. NCT02683291), kidney transplant recipients over 60 years of age were randomly allocated into 2 groups: tacrolimus-sirolimus (21 patients) and tacrolimus-mycophenolate (23 patients). Cytomegalovirus infection rate and patient survival, biopsy-proven acute rejection, and renal function at 12 months were assessed.

RESULTS

Cytomegalovirus infection rate was higher in the mycophenolate group (60.9%) than in the sirolimus group (16.7%; P = .004). The rates of biopsy-proven acute rejection, patient survival, graft survival, and estimated glomerular filtration rate over 12 months did not significantly differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of cytomegalovirus infection was significantly lower in the sirolimus group. The use of tacrolimus combined with sirolimus in elderly kidney transplant recipients is safe.

Systemic meta-analysis assessing the short term applicability of early conversion to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in kidney transplant

AIM

To consolidate the present evidence of effectiveness in renal functioning and graft survival following early introduction of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors with or without calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in renal transplant recipients.

METHODS

We analysed the current literature following PROSPERO approval describing the role of immunosuppressive agent, mTOR inhibitors as an alternative to CNI within six months of renal transplant by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Crossref, and Scopus using MeSH terms.

RESULTS

Six articles of early withdrawal of CNI and introduction of mTOR-inhibitors within six months of renal transplantation were sought. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum creatinine were significantly better in mTOR inhibitor group with equivalent survival at 12 mo, even though Biopsy Proven Acute rejection was significantly higher in mTOR-inhibitor group.

CONCLUSION

The evidence reviewed in this meta-analysis suggests that early introduction mTOR-inhibitors substantial CNI minimization. The mTOR inhibitors such as everolimus and sirolimus, due to their complementary mechanism of action and favourable nephrotoxicity profile; better glomerular filtration, lower serum creatinine with equivalent survival. Having said that, due to the higher rejection rate, may influence the use of these regimens to patients with moderate to high immunological risk patients.

Host cell mTORC1 is required for HCV RNA replication

OBJECTIVE

Chronically HCV-infected orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) recipients appear to have improved outcomes when their immunosuppressive regimen includes a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. The mechanism underlying this observation is unknown.

DESIGN

We used virological assays to investigate mTOR signalling on the HCV replication cycle. Furthermore, we analysed HCV RNA levels of 42 HCV-positive transplanted patients treated with an mTOR inhibitor as part of their immunosuppressive regimen.

RESULTS

The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin was found to be a potent inhibitor for HCV RNA replication in Huh-7.5 cells as well as primary human hepatocytes. Half-maximal inhibition was observed at 0.01 µg/mL, a concentration that is in the range of serum levels seen in transplant recipients and does not affect cell proliferation. Early replication cycle steps such as cell entry and RNA translation were not affected. Knockdown of raptor, an essential component of mTORC1, but not rictor, an essential component of mTORC2, inhibited viral RNA replication. In addition, overexpression of raptor led to higher viral RNA replication, demonstrating that mTORC1, but not mTORC2, is required for HCV RNA replication. In 42 HCV-infected liver-transplanted or kidney-transplanted patients who were switched to an mTOR inhibitor, we could verify that mTOR inhibition decreased HCV RNA levels in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data identify mTORC1 as a novel HCV replication factor. These findings suggest an underlying mechanism for the observed benefits of mTOR inhibition in HCV-positive OLT recipients and potentiate further investigation of mTOR-containing regimens in HCV-positive recipients of solid organ transplants.

Role of mTOR inhibitors for the control of viral infection in solid organ transplant recipients

Appropriate post-transplant immunosuppressive regimens that avoid acute rejection, while reducing risk of viral reactivation, have been sought, but remain a chimera. Recent evidence suggesting potential regulatory and antiviral effects of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) is of great interest. Although the concept of an immunosuppressive drug with antiviral properties is not new, little effort has been made to put the evidence together to assess the management of immunosuppressive therapy in the presence of a viral infection. This review was developed to gather the evidence on antiviral activity of the mTORi against the viruses that most commonly reactivate in adult solid organ recipients: cytomegalovirus (CMV), polyomavirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). A rapid review methodology and evaluation of quality and consistency of evidence based on the GRADE system was used. The existing literature was variable in nature, although indicating a potential advantage of mTORi in CMV, polyomavirus, and HHV8 infection, and a most doubtful relation with EBV and HCV infection. Several recommendations about the management of these infections are presented that can change certain current patterns of immunosuppression and help to improve the prognosis of the direct and indirect effects of viral infection in solid organ recipients.

Design and rationale of the ATHENA study--A 12-month, multicentre, prospective study evaluating the outcomes of a de novo everolimus-based regimen in combination with reduced cyclosporine or tacrolimus versus a standard regimen in kidney transplant patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

Immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitors remains the mainstay of treatment after kidney transplantation; however, long-term use of these drugs may be associated with nephrotoxicity. In this regard, the current approach is to optimise available immunosuppressive regimens to reduce the calcineurin inhibitor dose while protecting renal function without affecting the efficacy. The ATHENA study is designed to evaluate renal function in two regimens: an everolimus and reduced calcineurin inhibitor-based regimen versus a standard treatment protocol with mycophenolic acid and tacrolimus in de novo kidney transplant recipients.

Method/Design

ATHENA is a 12-month, multicentre, open-label, prospective, randomised, parallel-group study in de novo kidney transplant recipients (aged 18 years or older) receiving renal allografts from deceased or living donors. Eligible patients are randomised (1:1:1) prior to transplantation to one of the following three treatment arms: everolimus (starting dose 1.5 mg/day; C0 3–8 ng/mL) with cyclosporine or everolimus (starting dose 3 mg/day; C0 3–8 ng/mL) with tacrolimus or mycophenolic acid (enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium at 1.44 g/day or mycophenolate mofetil at 2 g/day) with tacrolimus; in combination with corticosteroids. All patients receive induction therapy with basiliximab. The primary objective is to demonstrate non-inferiority of renal function (eGFR by the Nankivell formula) in one of the everolimus arms compared with the standard group at month 12 post transplantation. The key secondary objective is to assess the incidence of treatment failure, defined as biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss, or death, among the treatment groups. Other objectives include assessment of the individual components of treatment failure, incidence and severity of viral infections, incidence and duration of delayed graft function, incidence of indication biopsies, slow graft function and wound healing complications, and overall safety and tolerability. Exploratory objectives include evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy assessed by the left ventricular mass index, evolution of human leukocyte antigen and non-human leukocyte antigen antibodies, and a cytomegalovirus substudy.

Discussion

As one of the largest European multicentre kidney transplant studies, ATHENA will determine whether a de novo everolimus-based regimen can preserve renal function versus the standard of care. This study further assesses a number of clinical issues which impact long-term outcomes post transplantation; hence, its results will have a major clinical impact.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01843348, date of registration – 18 April 2013; EUDRACT number: 2011-005238-21, date of registration – 20 March 2012

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1220-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evaluating the efficacy, safety and evolution of renal function with early initiation of everolimus-facilitated tacrolimus reduction in de novo liver transplant recipients: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Introduction of calcineurin inhibitors had led to improved survival rates in liver transplant recipients. However, long-term use of calcineurin inhibitors is associated with a higher risk of chronic renal failure, neurotoxicity, de novo malignancies, recurrence of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several studies have shown that everolimus has the potential to provide protection against viral replication, malignancy, and progression of fibrosis, as well as preventing nephrotoxicity by facilitating calcineurin inhibitor reduction without compromising efficacy. The Hephaistos study evaluates the beneficial effects of early initiation of everolimus in de novo liver transplant recipients.

METHODS/DESIGN

Hephaistos is an ongoing 12-month, multi-center, open-label, controlled study aiming to enroll 330 de novo liver transplant recipients from 15 centers across Germany. Patients are randomized in a 1:1 ratio (7-21 days post-transplantation) to receive everolimus (trough levels 3-8 ng/mL) with reduced tacrolimus (trough levels <5 ng/mL), or standard tacrolimus (trough levels 6-10 ng/mL) after entering a run-in period (3-5 days post-transplantation). In the run-in period, patients are treated with induction therapy, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and corticosteroids according to local practice. Randomization is stratified by HCV status and model of end-stage liver disease scores at transplantation. The primary objective of the study is to exhibit superior renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate assessed by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD)-4 formula) with everolimus plus reduced tacrolimus compared to standard tacrolimus at Month 12. Other objectives are: to assess the incidence of treated biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss, or death; the incidences of components of the composite efficacy endpoint; renal function via estimated glomerular filtration rate using various formulae (MDRD-4, Nankivell, Cockcroft-Gault, chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration and Hoek formulae); the incidence of proteinuria; the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events; the incidence and severity of cytomegalovirus and HCV infections and HCV-related fibrosis.

DISCUSSION

This study aims to demonstrate superior renal function, comparable efficacy, and safety in de novo liver transplant recipients receiving everolimus with reduced tacrolimus compared with standard tacrolimus. This study also evaluates the antiviral benefit by early initiation of everolimus.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01551212 .