Everolimus with early withdrawal or reduced-dose calcineurin inhibitors improves renal function in liver transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pharmacodynamic Effect of mTOR Inhibition-based Immunosuppressive Therapy on T- and B-cell Subsets After Renal Transplantation

Background

The mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi) therapy after kidney transplantation is solely monitored pharmacokinetically, not necessarily reflecting PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway blockade efficacy leading to potential under-or overimmunosuppression.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, phosphoflow cytometry was used to determine the efficacy of mTOR inhibition in peripheral T- and B-lymphocyte subsets by assessing p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) phosphorylation in renal transplant recipients upon treatment with a combination of either mTORi and calcineurin inhibitors (n = 18), or mTORi with mycophenolic acid (n = 9). Nine dialysis patients with end-stage renal disease and 17 healthy age-matched volunteers served as controls.

Results

mTORi treatment reduced p70S6K phosphorylation in CD4+, CD8+ T, and CD19+ B cells compared with healthy controls (HCs). Subpopulation analysis of CD4+ T cells and CD19+ B cells revealed a significant reduction of p70S6K phosphorylation in CD4+CD45RA-CD25- Th cells (P < 0.05), CD24hiCD38hi transitional B cells (P < 0.001), CD24+CD38- memory B cells (P < 0.001), and CD24intCD38int-naive B cells (P < 0.05) upon mTORi treatment, whereas CD4+CD45RA-CD25++CD127- regulatory T cells and CD24-CD38hi plasmablasts were not affected. Compared with mTORi + mycophenolic acid therapy, mTORi + calcineurin inhibitor treatment exhibited an even stronger inhibition of p70S6K phosphorylation in CD4+CD45RA-CD25- Th cells and CD8+ T cells. However, trough levels of mTORi did not correlate with p70S6K phosphorylation.

Conclusions

mTORi selectively inhibited p70S6K phosphorylation in select lymphocyte subtypes. Assessing p70S6K phosphorylation by phosphoflow cytometry may serve as an approach to understand cell subset specific effects of mTORi providing detailed pharmacodynamic information for individualizing immunosuppression.

New insights in immunomodulation for intestinal transplantation

Tolerance is the Holy Grail of solid organ transplantation (SOT) and remains its primary challenge since its inception. In this topic, the seminal contributions of Thomas Starzl at Pittsburgh University outlined foundational principles of graft acceptance and tolerance, with chimerism emerging as a pivotal factor. Immunologically, intestinal transplantation (ITx) poses a unique hurdle due to the inherent characteristics and functions of the small bowel, resulting in increased immunogenicity. This necessitates heavy immunosuppression (IS) while IS drugs side effects cause significant morbidity. In addition, current IS therapies fall short of inducing clinical tolerance and their discontinuation has been proven unattainable in most cases. This underscores the unfulfilled need for immunological modulation to safely reduce IS-related burdens. To address this challenge, the Leuven Immunomodulatory Protocol (LIP), introduced in 2000, incorporates various pro-tolerogenic interventions in both the donor to the recipient, with the aim of facilitating graft acceptance and improving outcome. This review seeks to provide an overview of the current understanding of tolerance in ITx and outline recent advances in this domain.

Everolimus Mitigates the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence after Liver Transplantation

To obtain long-term data on the use of everolimus in patients who underwent liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma, we conducted a retrospective, single-center analysis of adult recipients transplanted between 2013 and 2021. Patients on everolimus-incorporating immunosuppression were matched with those on tacrolimus using an inverse probability of treatment weighting methodology. Two propensity-matched groups of patients were thus compared: 233 (45.6%) receiving everolimus versus 278 (54.4%) on tacrolimus. At a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 4.4 (3.8) years after transplantation, everolimus patients showed a reduced risk of recurrence versus tacrolimus (7.7% versus 16.9%; RR = 0.45; p = 0.002). At multivariable analysis, microvascular infiltration (HR = 1.22; p < 0.04) and a higher tumor grading (HR = 1.27; p < 0.04) were associated with higher recurrence rate while being within Milan criteria at transplant (HR = 0.56; p < 0.001), a successful pre-transplant downstaging (HR = 0.63; p = 0.01) and use of everolimus (HR = 0.46; p < 0.001) had a positive impact on the risk of post-transplant recurrence. EVR patients with earlier drug introduction (≤30 days; p < 0.001), longer treatment duration (p < 0.001), and higher drug exposure (≥5.9 ng/mL; p < 0.001) showed lower recurrence rates versus TAC. Based on our experience, everolimus provides a reduction in the relative risk of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence, especially for advanced-stage patients and those with earlier drug administration, higher drug exposure, and longer time on treatment. These data advocate for early everolimus introduction after liver transplantation to reduce the attrition rate consequent to chronic immunosuppression.

Current Use of Immunosuppression in Liver Transplantation

Since the first successful liver transplant in 1967, immunosuppression has allowed liver transplantation to become the standard treatment of end-stage liver disease. Over the decades, the rates of rejection have decreased, and patient survival outcomes have significantly improved in large part due to the introduction and advancements of immunosuppression medications. However, the adverse effects associated with long-term immunosuppression have created new challenges facing liver transplantation and added significantly to posttransplantation morbidity. This review presents the data and rationale for immunosuppression approaches, addresses the main controversies related to immunosuppression in liver transplantation, and explores some of the newer advancements in immunosuppressive drug therapy.

Evolving challenges with long-term care of liver transplant recipients

The number of liver transplants (LT) performed worldwide continues to rise, and LT recipients are living longer post-transplant. This has led to an increasing number of LT recipients requiring lifelong care. Optimal care post-LT requires careful attention to both the allograft and systemic issues that are more common after organ transplantation. Common causes of allograft dysfunction include rejection, biliary complications, and primary disease recurrence. While immunosuppression prevents rejection and reduces incidences of some primary disease recurrence, it has detrimental systemic effects. Most commonly, these include increased incidences of metabolic syndrome, various malignancies, and infections. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to optimize immunosuppression regimens to prevent allograft dysfunction while also decreasing the risk of systemic complications. Institutional protocols to screen for systemic disease and heightened clinical suspicion also play an important role in providing optimal long-term post-LT care. In this review, we discuss these common complications of LT as well as unique considerations when caring for LT recipients in the years after transplant.

Three-year results of renal function in liver transplant recipients on low-dose sirolimus and tacrolimus: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combination of low-dose sirolimus (SRL) and low-dose extended-release tacrolimus (TAC) compared to normal-dose extended-release TAC results in a difference in the renal function and comparable rates of rejection, graft and patient survival at 36 months after transplantation. This study was an open-label, multicenter randomized, controlled trial. Patients were randomized to once-daily normal-dose extended-release TAC (control group) or once-daily combination therapy of SRL and low-dose extended-release TAC (interventional group). The primary endpoint was the cumulative incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) defined as grade ≥3 (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) at 36 months after transplantation. In total, 196 patients were included. CKD at 36 months was not different between the control and interventional group (50.8%, 95% CI: 39.7%-59.9%) vs. 43.7%, 95% CI: 32.8%-52.8%). Only at 6 months after transplantation, the eGFR was higher in the interventional group compared to the control group (mean eGFR 73.1±15 vs. 67.6±16 mL/min/1.73 m2, p=0.02) in the intention-to-treat population. No differences in the secondary endpoints and the number of serious adverse events were found between the groups. Once daily low-dose SRL combined with low-dose extended-release TAC does ultimately not provide less CKD grade ≥3 at 36 months compared to normal-dose extended-release TAC.

Renal Function, Adherence and Quality of Life Improvement After Conversion From Immediate to Prolonged-Release Tacrolimus in Liver Transplantation: Prospective Ten-Year Follow-Up Study

Immunosuppression non-adherence is a major cause of graft failure after liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate practice surrounding conversion from immediate-release to prolonged-release Tacrolimus formulation and to assess patient adherence and quality of life (QoL). One hundred and seven adult liver transplant recipients, receiving immediate-release Tacrolimus for a minimum of 6 months, were converted to prolonged-release formulation, based on a dose ratio of one (1:1). The median follow-up was 120 [IQR, 120-123] months. Tacrolimus dosage and blood level, liver and renal function, lipid and glucose profiles were recorded. In addition, questionnaires were submitted to evaluate adherence and QoL following conversion. No rejection was recorded. The median serum Tacrolimus blood level decreased over 1 month (5.80, [IQR, 2.0-10.8] vs. 3.8 [IQR, 1.4-8.7]; p < 0.0005). Significant improvement in renal function was noted (median GFR was 81.7 [IQR, 43.4-128.6] vs. 73.9 [IQR, 27.1-130.2]; p = 0.0002). At the end of the follow-up, conversion resulted in an overall decrease in non-adherence of 53.3% (p = 0.0001) and an improvement in QoL was reported by 76.2% of patients. Thus, 1:1 conversion from immediate to prolonged-release Tacrolimus is safe, feasible and efficient, avoiding under-therapeutic and toxic peak concentrations, improving renal function, adherence to immunosuppression and overall patient QoL.

mTORi-based immunosuppression reduces HCC recurrence at the expense of increased adverse side effects: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Sirolimus and everolimus are mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) that can reduce relapse rates following liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of mTORi and calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) in reducing HCC recurrence and survival adverse effects (AEs) in HCC patients after LT. Systematic literature searches were conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases up to October 2021. The primary outcomes of interest were tumor recurrence rates and overall survival. The secondary outcomes were the characterization and incidence of AEs. A total of 38 trials involving 10,607 participants was included in the analysis. The incidence of recurrence and overall mortality was significantly lower in the mTORi than in the CNI group (relative ratio [RR]: .78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .68-.89 and RR: .76, 95% CI: .67-.86, respectively). The incidence of some AEs and complications such as acne, anemia, abnormal healing, dyslipidemia, depression, diarrhea, edema, headache/migraine, hypercholesterolemia, incisional hernia, infection, leukopenia, mouth ulceration, pyrexia, proteinuria, pruritis, rash, and thrombocytopenia were higher in the mTORi than in the CNI group. mTORi reduced the recurrence incidence and overall 5-year mortality rate but increased many other incidences of AEs compared with that by CNI. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the risks and benefits of mTORi use when managing patients undergoing LT for HCC.

Immunosuppressive Drugs in Liver Transplant: An Insight

Liver transplantation (LT) is the standard of care for end-stage liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Over the years, immunosuppression regimens have improved, resulting in enhanced graft and patient survival. At present, the side effects of immunosuppressive agents are a significant threat to post-LT quality of life and long-term outcome. The role of personalized immunosuppression is to reach a delicate balance between optimal immunosuppression and minimal side effects. Today, immunosuppression in LT is more of an art than a science. There are no validated markers for overimmunosuppression and underimmunosuppression, only a few drugs have therapeutic drug monitoring and immunosuppression regimens vary from center to center. The immunosuppressive agents are broadly classified into biological agents and pharmacological agents. Most regimens use multiple agents with different modes of action to reduce the dosage and minimize the toxicities. The calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-related toxicities are reduced by antibody induction or using mTOR inhibitor/antimetabolites as CNI sparing or CNI minimization strategies. Post-liver transplant immunosuppression has an intensive phase in the first three months when alloreactivity is high, followed by a maintenance phase when immunosuppression minimization protocols are implemented. Over time some patients achieve "tolerance," defined as the successful stopping of immunosuppression with good graft function and no indication of rejection. Cell-based therapy using immune cells with tolerogenic potential is the future and may permit complete withdrawal of immunosuppressive agents.

Five-year outcomes in liver transplant patients receiving everolimus with or without a calcineurin inhibitor: Results from the CERTITUDE study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To report 5-year outcomes of the CERTITUDE study.

METHODS

An observational study in patients with liver transplantation (LTx) compared the long-term impact of immunosuppression (with/without a calcineurin inhibitor) on renal function, cancers, major cardiovascular events (MACEs) and other safety parameters. All patients completing the 6-month SIMCER study were recruited and analysed according to treatment received at randomization and actual treatment received during the follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 143 enrolled patients, 119 completed the 5-year follow-up (everolimus [EVR], n = 55; tacrolimus [TAC], n = 64). The mean absolute change in estimated glomerular filtration rate was not statistically different between both groups (TAC, -15.53 ml/min/1.73 m² and EVR, -14.56 ml/min/1.73 m² ). In the treatment subgroups based on actual treatment received, renal function was preserved better in the EVR subgroup compared with other subgroups (p = .051). Treated biopsy-proven acute rejection was higher in the EVR group (15.4% vs. 6.4%); however, the majority of events were mild in severity. MACE occurred in 9.2% vs. 14.1% of patients in the EVR and TAC groups respectively (p = .370). De novo cancer was reported in 14 and 5 patients in EVR and TAC groups respectively. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence was observed in the TAC group alone (n = 4). Adverse events and treatment discontinuation owing to an adverse event were higher in the EVR group.

CONCLUSIONS

The CERTITUDE study demonstrated that EVR- and TAC-based regimens have comparable efficacy, safety and tolerability up to 5 years post-LTx.

Risks and ways of preventing kidney dysfunction in drug-induced immunosuppression in solid organ recipients

Immunosuppressive therapy (IMT) is the cornerstone of treatment after transplantation. The goal of immunosuppression is to prevent acute and chronic rejection while maximizing patient survival and long-term graft function. However, the expected effects of IMT must be balanced against the major adverse effects of these drugs and their toxicity. The purpose of this review is to summarize world experience on current immunosuppressive strategies and to assess their effects on renal function.

Peritransplant Renal Dysfunction in Liver Transplant Candidates

Renal function is intricately tied to Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and overall prognosis among patients with cirrhosis. The estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and etiology of renal impairment are even more magnified among cirrhotic patients in the period surrounding liver transplantation. Novel biomarkers including cystatin C and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin have been demonstrated to more accurately assess renal dysfunction and aid in the diagnosis of competing etiologies. Accurately identifying the severity and chronicity of renal dysfunction among transplant candidates is an imperative component with respect to stratifying patients toward simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation versus liver transplantation alone.

Chronic Kidney Disease After Liver Transplantation

Improved survival after liver transplantation has led to an aging cohort of recipients at risk of renal dysfunction. The etiology of renal dysfunction is typically multifactorial; calcineurin inhibitors nephrotoxicity, pretransplant renal dysfunction, and perioperative acute kidney injury are important risk factors. Metabolic complications such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease also contribute to the development of renal disease. Most LT recipients will eventually develop some degree of renal dysfunction. Criteria to select candidates for simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation have been established. Both delayed introduction of CNIs and renal-sparing immunosuppressive regimens may reduce progression of renal dysfunction.

Belatacept Conversion in Kidney After Liver Transplantation

Background.

Costimulatory blockade with belatacept has demonstrated long-term benefits in renal transplantation, but de novo use in liver transplant recipients has resulted in increased rejection, graft loss, and death. However, belatacept conversion as a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) avoidance strategy has not been studied and may be of benefit in liver transplantation where CNI-induced renal dysfunction and toxicity are barriers to improved outcomes.

Methods.

Using clinical data extracted from our institutional medical record, we report on 8 patients who underwent kidney after liver transplantation and were treated with belatacept-based immunosuppression and transient CNI therapy.

Results.

All patients tolerated belatacept therapy without any patient deaths or graft losses. No episodes of rejection, de novo donor-specific antibody formation, or major systemic infections were observed, and all patients demonstrated preserved liver and excellent renal allograft function. Patients received belatacept for a median duration of 13.2 mo, and at a median follow-up of 15.9 mo post–kidney transplant, 6 of 8 patients continued on belatacept with 3 completely off and 3 poised to transition off CNI.

Conclusions.

These findings are the first evidence that in liver transplant recipients requiring subsequent kidney transplantation, belatacept-based therapy can potentially facilitate CNI-free maintenance immunosuppression. This supports the possibility of belatacept conversion in stand-alone liver transplant recipients as a viable method of CNI avoidance.

Kidney Failure after Liver Transplantation

One-third of patients with cirrhosis present kidney failure (AKI and CKD). It has multifactorial causes and a harmful effect on morbidity and mortality before and after liver transplantation. Kidney function does not improve in all patients after liver transplantation, and liver transplant recipients are at a high risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The causes of renal dysfunction can be divided into three groups: pre-operative, perioperative and post-operative factors. To date, there is no consensus on the modality to evaluate the risk of chronic kidney disease after liver transplantation, or for its prevention. In this narrative review, we describe the outcome of kidney function after liver transplantation, and the prognostic factors of chronic kidney disease in order to establish a risk categorization for each patient. Furthermore, we discuss therapeutic options to prevent kidney dysfunction in this context, and highlight the indications of combined liver–kidney transplantation.

Real-Life Experience of mTOR Inhibitors in Liver Transplant Recipients in a Region Where Living Donation Is Predominant

Background: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, such as everolimus and sirolimus, may be efficacious in preserving renal function in liver transplantation (LT) recipients while preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the safety, efficacy, and renoprotective effects of mTOR inhibitors in LT recipients. Among the 84 patients enrolled, mTOR inhibitor was commenced during the first year after LT. Renal function was measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation.

Results: Regarding the type of mTOR inhibitor, everolimus was used in 71 patients and sirolimus in 13 patients. Concomitant tacrolimus was used in 63 patients (75.0%). For total enrolled patients, kidney function did not significantly change during 12 months after initiation of mTOR inhibitors, although tacrolimus-withdrawn patients (n = 21) showed better kidney function compared to tacrolimus-minimized patients (n = 63) after conversion. However, a significant improvement in kidney function was observed in the eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 group (n = 19) 12 months after initiation of mTOR inhibitors, for both patient groups with early + mid starters (n = 7, stating within 1 year after LT) and late starters (n = 12, starting over 1 year after LT). mTOR inhibitors were safely administered without serious adverse events that led to drug discontinuation.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that patients with renal impairment showed significant improvement in renal function regardless of the timing of mTOR inhibitor start, suggesting that switch to mTOR inhibitors may be beneficial when renal function declines.

A multicenter case series documenting Medicare Part D plan denials of immunosuppressant drug coverage for organ transplant recipients

Medicare Part D plans make coverage decisions according to FDA-labeled indications and off-label uses endorsed by two CMS-recognized compendia. Patients who rely on Medicare Part D for immunosuppressive drug coverage are at risk for denied coverage when these medications are prescribed off-label. The purpose of this multicenter collaboration was to assemble a case series documenting situations where immunosuppressive therapies prescribed for transplant patients were denied by Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. This case series documents 66 instances in 39 patients where immunosuppressive drug claims were denied coverage due to off-label use not endorsed by the compendia. Patients were recipients of lung (n = 28, 72%), heart (n = 7, 18%), or liver (n = 4, 10%) transplants. Denied claims were for mycophenolate mofetil (n = 22, 33%), azathioprine (n = 18, 27%), sirolimus (n = 15, 23%), mycophenolate sodium (n = 5, 8%), everolimus (n = 5, 8%), and belatacept (n = 1, 1%). Most denials were upheld across all the levels of attempted appeal, including those escalated to a Medicare Administrative Law Judge. This case series demonstrates a critical flaw in the construct of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. The currently referenced compendia are not up to date and do not reflect best practices in organ transplantation.

INASL-ISN Joint Position Statements on Management of Patients with Simultaneous Liver and Kidney Disease

Renal dysfunction is very common among patients with chronic liver disease, and concomitant liver disease can occur among patients with chronic kidney disease. The spectrum of clinical presentation and underlying etiology is wide when concomitant kidney and liver disease occur in the same patient. Management of these patients with dual onslaught is challenging and requires a team approach of hepatologists and nephrologists. No recent guidelines exist on algorithmic approach toward diagnosis and management of these challenging patients. The Indian National Association for Study of Liver (INASL) in association with Indian Society of Nephrology (ISN) endeavored to develop joint guidelines on diagnosis and management of patients who have simultaneous liver and kidney disease. For generating these guidelines, an INASL-ISN Taskforce was constituted, which had members from both the societies. The taskforce first identified contentious issues on various aspects of simultaneous liver and kidney diseases, which were allotted to individual members of the taskforce who reviewed them in detail. A round-table meeting of the Taskforce was held on 20-21 October 2018 at New Delhi to discuss, debate, and finalize the consensus statements. The evidence and recommendations in these guidelines have been graded according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system with minor modifications. The strength of recommendations (strong and weak) thus reflects the quality (grade) of underlying evidence (I, II, III). We present here the INASL-ISN Joint Position Statements on Management of Patients with Simultaneous Liver and Kidney Disease.

Time to Conversion to an Everolimus-Based Regimen: Renal Outcomes in Liver Transplant Recipients From the EVEROLIVER Registry

Longterm use of a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based regimen is one of the major reasons for chronic renal failure in liver transplantation recipients (LTRs). The Everolimus Liver registry (EVEROLIVER) evaluated renal function in LTRs who were converted to everolimus (EVR). This observational registry included all LTRs receiving EVR across 9 centers from France. Data are being collected in an electronic database over 10 years (12 visits/patient) to evaluate efficacy, renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]), and safety of EVR use in clinical practice, and the current analysis is reporting up to 60 months of findings. Until September 2017, 1045 patients received EVR after a mean time of 3.6 ± 5.1 years. CNI withdrawal was feasible in 57.7% of patients as of month 60. Mean eGFR improved in patients with baseline eGFR <60 mL/minute/1.73 m² and was maintained in those with baseline eGFR ≥60 mL/minute/1.73 m² . Among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD; baseline eGFR <60 mL/minute/1.73 m² ), 55% converted to EVR within 3 months (early conversion) and 39.4% converted between 4 and 12 months after transplantation (mid-conversion) experienced improvement in eGFR (≥60 mL/minute/1.73 m² ) at month 36. Only 20.9% and 17.4% among those converted beyond 12 months (late conversion) experienced improvement respectively at month 36 and 60. A logistic regression analysis in patients with CKD stage ≥3 demonstrated that late conversion, age, and female sex were associated with nonimprovement of eGFR (≥60 mL/minute/1.73 m² ). Data from this real-life use of EVR indicate that renal function was maintained from the preconversion period until month 36 even in patients with advanced CKD. However, early rather than late conversion appears to be a safe approach to preserve longterm renal function in LTRs.

Immunosuppression in liver transplant

The increasing potency of immunosuppression (IS) agents resulted in significantly decreased rates of steroid resistant rejection and rejection related graft loss in liver transplantation (LT). Currently, more than two thirds of late mortality after LT is unrelated to graft function. However, the increased benefit of more potent IS drugs, coupled with the prolonged survival of transplant recipients led to longer patients exposure to these drugs and their unwanted adverse effects, creating a double-edged sword. In this article the authors describe the mechanism of action and the adverse effects of the most commonly used immunosuppressed drugs, and the most commonly used IS regimens for both induction and maintenance regimens. The balance between the ideal IS regimen to prevent rejection and the need to minimize the dose of IS drugs in order to prevent the adverse effects related to its use requires the knowledge of the science and the experience with the art of medicine. The different protocols aimed at protecting renal function and preventing the development of de novo cancer and metabolic syndrome are discussed here. The main causes of mortality late after liver transplant are associated with prolonged use of IS medications, and clear evidence exists about over-immunosuppression of recipients of liver transplant. The current status of strategies of IS minimization and withdrawal are reviewed in this article, with evaluation of its benefits and pitfalls.

Medical management of metabolic and cardiovascular complications after liver transplantation

Liver transplantation represents the only curative option for patients with end-stage liver disease, fulminant hepatitis and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Even though major advances in transplantation in the last decades have achieved excellent survival rates in the early post-transplantation period, long-term survival is hampered by the lack of improvement in survival in the late post transplantation period (over 5 years after transplantation). The main etiologies for late mortality are malignancies and cardiovascular complications. The latter are increasingly prevalent in liver transplant recipients due to the development or worsening of metabolic syndrome and all its components (arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, renal injury, etc.). These comorbidities result from a combination of pre-liver transplant features, immunosuppressive agent side-effects, changes in metabolism and hemodynamics after liver transplantation and the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle. In this review we describe the most prevalent metabolic and cardiovascular complications present after liver transplantation, as well as proposing management strategies.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients After Liver Transplantation: A Long-Term Retrospective Analysis From 1 Transplantation Center

OBJECTIVE

Liver transplantation (LTx) is the only effective method of treating end-stage insufficiency of the liver. Coexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD) in these patients may worsen the long-term prognosis. The aim of this retrospective, a 1-center, observational study, was to determine the prevalence and predisposing factors of CKD in patients in the long run after LTx.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Medical records were obtained, and the 130 patients after LTx (with a mean age of 49.3 ± 11.9 years) who completed the 24-month follow-up period were enrolled in the study. CKD was diagnosed in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m² or who had proteinuria for at least 3 months. Results are presented as means with standard deviation.

RESULTS

CKD was found in 17% of the patients before liver transplantation and in 32% and 39% 12 and 24 months after LTx, respectively. The eGFR values before, 12 months after, and 24 months after LTx were 98.6 ± 48.3, 79.1 ± 29.6, and 76.9 ± 21.3 mL/kg/1.73 m², respectively. The prevalence of CKD was lower in transplant patients with an autoimmune disease (25%) compared with viral (52%) and ethanol abuse (47%) liver cirrhosis etiology (chi-square: P = .04; post hoc analyses: autoimmune vs viral; P = .01; autoimmune vs ethanol abuse; P = .07). A significant negative correlation was found between trough blood tacrolimus concentration and eGFR 12 and 24 months after LTx (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CKD in patients after liver transplantation seems to be higher than in the general population. Patients with autoimmune etiology of the liver disease have better renal function than patients with viral or ethanol abuse liver cirrhosis etiology. Treatment with calcineurin inhibitors adversely influences renal function in patients after liver transplantations.

Impact of Everolimus-based Immunosuppression on Renal Function in Liver Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Calcineurin inhibitors have been implicated in acute and chronic kidney disease after liver transplant (LT). Everolimus (EVR) is a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor efficacious in preventing acute cellular rejection while preserving renal function among LT recipients. We evaluated the benefits on renal function of EVR immunosuppression in LT recipients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective and observational study in 477 LT recipients in Virgen de las Nieves Hospital from 2002 to 2019 on the use of EVR with tacrolimus minimization or withdrawal in LT recipients with renal dysfunction. The study included 100 patients starting EVR (20.96%); in 66 (66%) the indication was renal dysfunction. The change in renal function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0 software (IBM, Munich, Germany).

RESULTS

Fifty 8 patients received mycophenolate mofetil (87.8%), and tacrolimus therapy was stopped in 27 patients (40.9%). Induction therapy with basiliximab was administered in 41 patients (62.12%). There was significant difference between estimated glomerular filtration rate at the time of starting EVR and the first month at last follow-up (49.42 mL/min/1.73 m² vs 75.27 mL/min/1.73 m²; P < .001) and at end of follow-up (24 months) (49.42 mL/min/1.73 m² vs 64.32 mL/min/1.73 m²; P = .001). The rate of incidence of adverse events was 48.48% (32/66). Seven patients died during follow-up (10.6%), but there were no EVR-related deaths. Eleven patients (16.6%) developed biopsy-proven acute rejection.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that EVR is associated with a beneficial effect on glomerular filtration rate in both the short and long term in LT recipients.

Efficacy and safety of everolimus treatment on liver transplant recipients: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Everolimus is an effective immunosuppressant in organ transplantation without impaired renal function. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of everolimus therapy in liver transplant recipients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted to identify the eligible studies. The quality of the included studies was assessed. The outcomes of interest were biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft loss, death, renal function and adverse events.

RESULTS

Eight trials involving 1570 participants were included. Compared to the standard exposure to calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), the incidences of BPAR, graft loss and death were not increased in the everolimus combined with reduced CNIs group. The renal function was significantly improved after everolimus combined with reduced CNI therapy, and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated to be elevated by 5.59 (95% CI: 2.17-9.01, P = .001) as compared to the standard exposure to CNIs. The risk of any adverse event was increased by everolimus combined with reduced CNI therapy (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.04-1.42, P = .01) as compared to the standard exposure to CNIs. The likelihood of infection was not associated with the regimen. Any publication bias was not identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Although everolimus combined with reduced CNI therapy significantly improved the renal function in liver transplant recipients, it did not influence the incidence of BPAR, graft loss and death. This regimen might be associated with an increased risk of adverse events, which needs to be elucidated further.

mTOR Inhibitor Everolimus in Regulatory T Cell Expansion for Clinical Application in Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Experimental and preclinical evidence suggest that adoptive transfer of regulatory T (Treg) cells could be an appropriate therapeutic strategy to induce tolerance and improve graft survival in transplanted patients. The University of Kentucky Transplant Service Line is developing a novel phase I/II clinical trial with ex vivo expanded autologous Treg cells as an adoptive cellular therapy in renal transplant recipients who are using everolimus (EVR)-based immunosuppressive regimen.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms of action and efficacy of EVR for the development of functionally competent Treg cell-based adoptive immunotherapy in transplantation to integrate a common EVR-based regimen in vivo (in the patient) and ex vivo (in the expansion of autologous Treg cells). CD25 Treg cells were selected from leukapheresis product with a GMP-compliant cell separation system and placed in 5-day (short) or 21-day (long) culture with EVR or rapamycin (RAPA). Multi-parametric flow cytometry analyses were used to monitor the expansion rates, phenotype, autophagic flux, and suppressor function of the cells. phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway profiles of treated cells were analyzed by Western blot and cell bioenergetic parameters by extracellular flux analysis.

RESULTS

EVR-treated cells showed temporary slower growth, lower metabolic rates, and reduced phosphorylation of protein kinase B compared with RAPA-treated cells. In spite of these differences, the expansion rates, phenotype, and suppressor function of long-term Treg cells in culture with EVR were similar to those with RAPA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the feasibility of EVR to expand functionally competent Treg cells for their clinical use.

Very Early Introduction of Everolimus in De Novo Liver Transplantation: Results of a Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized Trial

Early everolimus (EVR) introduction and tacrolimus (TAC) minimization after liver transplantation may represent a novel immunosuppressant approach. This phase 2, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of early EVR initiation. Patients treated with corticosteroids, TAC, and basiliximab were randomized (2:1) to receive EVR (1.5 mg twice daily) on day 8 and to gradually minimize or withdraw TAC when EVR was stable at >5 ng/mL or to continue TAC at 6-12 ng/mL. The primary endpoint was the proportion of treated biopsy-proven acute rejection (tBPAR)-free patients at 3 months after transplant. As secondary endpoints, composite tBPAR plus graft/patient loss rate, renal function, TAC discontinuation rate, and adverse events were assessed. A total of 93 patients were treated with EVR, and 47 were controls. After 3 months from transplantation, 87.1% of patients with EVR and 95.7% of controls were tBPAR-free (P = 0.09); composite endpoint-free patients with EVR were 85% (versus 94%; P = 0.15). Also at 3 months, 37.6% patients were in monotherapy with EVR, and the tBPAR rate was 11.4%. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly higher with EVR, as early as 2 weeks after randomization. In the study group, higher rates of dyslipidemia (15% versus 6.4%), wound complication (18.32% versus 0%), and incisional hernia (25.8% versus 6.4%) were observed, whereas neurological disorders were more frequent in the control group (13.9% versus 31.9%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, an early EVR introduction and TAC minimization may represent a suitable approach when immediate preservation of renal function is crucial.

A pharmacological rationale for improved everolimus dosing in oncology and transplant patients

AIMS

Everolimus is a drug from the class of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors used for both immunosuppressant and oncological indications. We postulate that there is room for improvement of dosing, as the optimal immunosuppressive dose in calcineurin-free regimens is unknown and since the once daily dosing regimen for oncological indications is often associated with treatment-limiting toxicity.

METHODS

We developed a mechanistic population pharmacokinetic model for everolimus in cancer and transplant patients and explored alternative dosing regimens.

RESULTS

We found that formulation did not influence bioavailability and that use of >20 mg prednisolone daily increased everolimus clearance. In transplant patients, the approved dose of 0.75-1 mg twice daily (BID) results in subtherapeutic trough levels (<6 μg l-1 ) and that a higher starting dose of 2.25-3 mg BID is required.

CONCLUSION

For oncological indications, our results encourage the investigation of dosing everolimus 3.75 mg BID in terms of superiority in safety and noninferiority in efficacy.

Ab initio Everolimus-based Versus Standard Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppression Regimen in Liver Transplant Recipients

AIM

We designed a retrospective case-control study to determine the efficacy and feasibility of everolimus (EVR) combined with low-dose tacrolimus (Tac) ab initio versus standard-dose Tac after liver transplantation (LT).

METHODS

Seventy-one adult LT patients, receiving EVR and low-dose Tac without corticosteroids or induction therapy from postoperative day 1 (EVR group) were compared with a well-matched control group of 61 recipients treated with standard-dose Tac in association with antimetabolite.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics for the two groups were comparable. The overall patient and graft survival rates were similar (P = .908). Liver function was stable during the follow-up. In the EVR group, biopsy-proven acute rejection occurred in two cases (2.8%), whereas chronic rejection occurred in one (1.4%). The EVR group experienced a better renal function already after 2 weeks (estimated glomerular filtration rate: 89.85 [36.46 to 115.3] mL/min/1.73 m² vs. 68.77 [16.11 to 115.42] mL/min/1.73 m²; P = .013), which was also observed after a median time of 27 months (range, 0 to 82 months) from LT (estimated glomerular filtration rate: 80 [45 to 118.3] mL/min/1.73 m² vs. 70.9 [45 to 88.4] mL/min/1.73 m²; P = .04). After a median time of 27 months, the EVR group showed lower incidence of arterial hypertension and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSION

Ab initio EVR-based immunosuppression could be a valid option immediately after surgery in recipients at high-risk for post-LT renal impairment.

Immunosuppression in the pediatric transplant recipient

The field of pediatric solid-organ transplantation has significantly evolved since its beginnings in the early 20^th century. As advancements have led to the development of innovative surgical techniques and novel medication regimens, transplantation has now become a routine practice leading to an increase in the rates of organ recipients worldwide. The care of pediatric solid-organ transplant recipients differs from adults in several areas not only due to technically challenging surgeries, but mostly due to the complexity of their immunosuppression management. Although there is large variation of pediatric immunosuppression regimens worldwide, the use of calcineurin inhibitors, either tacrolimus or cyclosporine, still forms the backbone of immunosuppression regimens after solid-organ transplantation. Both medications are relatively well tolerated but are known to have long-term side effects, especially nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. The goal of care in long-term pediatric survivors of solid-organ transplant now aims to safely minimize exposure to immunosuppression and to achieve long-term graft tolerance.