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Szász C, Pap D, Szebeni B, Bokrossy P, Őrfi L, Szabó AJ, Vannay Á, Veres-Székely A. Optimization of Sirius Red-Based Microplate Assay to Investigate Collagen Production In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17435. [PMID: 38139263 PMCID: PMC10744033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue fibrosis is characterized by chronic fibroblast activation and consequently excessive accumulation of collagen-rich extracellular matrix. In vitro microplate-based assays are essential to investigate the underlying mechanism and the effect of antifibrotic drugs. In this study, in the absence of a gold-standard method, we optimized a simple, cost-effective, Sirius Red-based colorimetric measurement to determine the collagen production of fibroblasts grown on 96-well tissue culture plates. Based on our findings, the use of a serum-free medium is recommended to avoid aspecific signals, while ascorbate supplementation increases the collagen production of fibroblasts. The cell-associated collagens can be quantified by Sirius Red staining in acidic conditions followed by alkaline elution. Immature collagens can be precipitated from the culture medium by acidic Sirius Red solution, and after subsequent centrifugation and washing steps, their amount can be also measured. Increased attention has been paid to optimizing the assay procedure, including incubation time, temperature, and solution concentrations. The resulting assay shows high linearity and sensitivity and could serve as a useful tool in fibrosis-related basic research as well as in preclinical drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csenge Szász
- Pediatric Center, MTA Center of Excellence, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Domonkos Pap
- Pediatric Center, MTA Center of Excellence, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-SU Pediatrics and Nephrology Research Group, 1052 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta Szebeni
- Pediatric Center, MTA Center of Excellence, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-SU Pediatrics and Nephrology Research Group, 1052 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Bokrossy
- Pediatric Center, MTA Center of Excellence, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Őrfi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, 1092 Budapest, Hungary
- Vichem Chemie Research Ltd., 1022 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila J. Szabó
- Pediatric Center, MTA Center of Excellence, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-SU Pediatrics and Nephrology Research Group, 1052 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám Vannay
- Pediatric Center, MTA Center of Excellence, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-SU Pediatrics and Nephrology Research Group, 1052 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Apor Veres-Székely
- Pediatric Center, MTA Center of Excellence, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-SU Pediatrics and Nephrology Research Group, 1052 Budapest, Hungary
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2
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Keijbeck A, Raaijmaakers A, Hillen L, Gelens M, van Kuijk S, Cleutjens JPM, Peutz-Kootstra C, Christiaans M. Visual interstitial fibrosis assessment as continuous variable in protocol renal transplant biopsies. Histopathology 2023; 82:713-721. [PMID: 36579371 DOI: 10.1111/his.14857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In current renal transplant pathology practice, interstitial fibrosis is visually assessed in categories according to the Banff classification. As this has a moderate reproducibility, which is little ameliorated by morphometric analysis, we investigated whether visual renal fibrosis assessment is feasible on a continuous scale, i.e. as a percentage of affected area of the cortex. METHODS AND RESULTS Protocol renal biopsies taken at transplantation (n = 125), three (n = 73) and 12 months (n = 88) after transplantation were visually scored in categories (Banff) and percentages for interstitial fibrosis (ci). Interobserver variation (ICC and weighted κ) was assessed, and morphometric analysis on Sirius red-stained sections was performed. Correlations between the different methods and their association with donor age and eGFR 1 and 5 years post-transplant were analysed using Pearson's or Spearman's rho. Interobserver agreement was equivalent for Banff and %ci (κ = 0.713 versus ICC = 0.792), and for Banff IF/TA and %IF/TA (κ = 0.615 versus ICC = 0.743). Both Banff and %ci were associated with Sirius red morphometry in 3 and 12 months. With all three methods, a significant correlation was found between donor age and fibrosis in the implantation biopsy and between fibrosis in the 12 months' biopsy and eGFR at 1 and 5 years (eGFR at 1 year: Sirius red ρ = 0.487, %ci ρ = 0.393, Banff ρ = 0.413, all P < 0.01, eGFR at 5 years: Sirius red ρ = 0.392, %ci ρ = 0.333, Banff ρ = 0.435, all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Interstitial fibrosis assessment on a continuous scale can be used next to scoring in categories according to the Banff classification in protocol renal transplant biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Keijbeck
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Anniek Raaijmaakers
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa Hillen
- Department of Pathology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marielle Gelens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism University Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Sander van Kuijk
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jack P M Cleutjens
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Carine Peutz-Kootstra
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten Christiaans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism University Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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3
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Thanukrishnan H, Venkataramanan R, Mehta RB, Jorgensen D, Sood P. The combination of exposure to Tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, Inosine 5'-Monophosphate Dehydrogenase activity and inhibition in the first week define early histological outcomes in renal transplant recipients. Clin Transplant 2022; 36:e14830. [PMID: 36177865 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic drug monitoring is routine for Tacrolimus, while levels are not routinely monitored for mycophenolic acid (MPA). This study investigated the effect of early post-transplant pharmacokinetics (PK) of MPA and Tacrolimus along with the pharmacodynamics (PD) of MPA on biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) after renal transplantation. A prospective PK/PD study with limited sampling (three blood samples) was conducted in renal transplant recipients on week 1, around Day 6 (n = 42) and at the 3rd-month biopsy on Day 90 (n = 23). The partial exposures (area under curve [AUC]0-3.5 h ) of both MPA and Tacrolimus obtained during the first week were more predictive of rejection (combined clinical and subclinical rejection) by Day 90 than their trough concentrations or Day 90 exposures. Patients with rejection had significantly worse renal function (eGFR) and a comparatively lower exposure to MPA during the first post-transplant week. The lower MPA exposure was also associated with sub-optimal inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibition in patients with rejection, and the probability of rejection was higher in the presence of an increased pre-transplant IMPDH activity. A composite of parameters, including MPA exposure and IMPDH activity was found to predict acute rejection and may be beneficial along with tacrolimus monitoring early after renal transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raman Venkataramanan
- School of Pharmacy and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rajil B Mehta
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dana Jorgensen
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Puneet Sood
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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4
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Rush DN. Subclinical Rejection: a Universally Held Concept? CURRENT TRANSPLANTATION REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40472-020-00290-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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5
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Moreso F, Sellarès J, Soler MJ, Serón D. Transcriptome Analysis in Renal Transplant Biopsies Not Fulfilling Rejection Criteria. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062245. [PMID: 32213927 PMCID: PMC7139324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical significance of renal transplant biopsies displaying borderline changes suspicious for T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) or interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) with interstitial inflammation has not been well defined. Molecular profiling to evaluate renal transplant biopsies using microarrays has been shown to be an objective measurement that adds precision to conventional histology. We review the contribution of transcriptomic analysis in surveillance and indication biopsies with borderline changes and IFTA associated with variable degrees of inflammation. Transcriptome analysis applied to biopsies with borderline changes allows to distinguish patients with rejection from those in whom mild inflammation mainly represents a response to injury. Biopsies with IFTA and inflammation occurring in unscarred tissue display a molecular pattern similar to TCMR while biopsies with IFTA and inflammation in scarred tissue, apart from T-cell activation, also express B cell, immunoglobulin and mast cell-related genes. Additionally, patients at risk for IFTA progression can be identified by genes mainly reflecting fibroblast dysregulation and immune activation. At present, it is not well established whether the expression of rejection gene transcripts in patients with fibrosis and inflammation is the consequence of an alloimmune response, tissue damage or a combination of both.
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6
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Bentata Y. Tacrolimus: 20 years of use in adult kidney transplantation. What we should know about its nephrotoxicity. Artif Organs 2019; 44:140-152. [PMID: 31386765 DOI: 10.1111/aor.13551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tacrolimus (or FK506), a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) introduced in field of transplantation in the 1990s, is the cornerstone of most immunosuppressive regimens in solid organ transplantation. Its use has revolutionized the future of kidney transplantation (KT) and has been associated with better graft survival, a lower incidence of rejection, and improved drug tolerance with fewer side effects compared to cyclosporine. However, its monitoring remains complicated and underexposure increases the risk of rejection, whereas overexposure increases the risk of adverse effects, primarily nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, infections, malignancies, diabetes, and gastrointestinal complaints. Tacrolimus nephrotoxicity can be nonreversible and can lead to kidney graft loss, and its diagnosis is therefore best made with reference to the clinical context and after exclusion of other causes of graft dysfunction. Many factors contribute to its development including: systemic levels of tacrolimus; local renal exposure to tacrolimus; exposure to metabolites of tacrolimus; local susceptibility factors for CNI nephrotoxicity independent of systemic or local tacrolimus levels, such as the age of a kidney; local renal P-glycoprotein, local intestinal and hepatic cytochrome P450A3, and renin angiotensin system activation. The aim of this review is to describe the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and mechanisms of acute and chronic tacrolimus nephrotoxicity in adult KT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassamine Bentata
- Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, University Hospital Mohammed VI, University Mohammed First, Oujda, Morocco.,Laboratory of Epidemiology, Clinical Research and Public Health, Medical School, University Mohammed First, Oujda, Morocco
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7
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Girolami I, Parwani A, Barresi V, Marletta S, Ammendola S, Stefanizzi L, Novelli L, Capitanio A, Brunelli M, Pantanowitz L, Eccher A. The Landscape of Digital Pathology in Transplantation: From the Beginning to the Virtual E-Slide. J Pathol Inform 2019; 10:21. [PMID: 31367473 PMCID: PMC6639852 DOI: 10.4103/jpi.jpi_27_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Digital pathology has progressed over the last two decades, with many clinical and nonclinical applications. Transplantation pathology is a highly specialized field in which the majority of practicing pathologists do not have sufficient expertise to handle critical needs. In this context, digital pathology has proven to be useful as it allows for timely access to expert second-opinion teleconsultation. The aim of this study was to review the experience of the application of digital pathology to the field of transplantation. Methods Papers on this topic were retrieved using PubMed as a search engine. Inclusion criteria were the presence of transplantation setting and the use of any type of digital image with or without the use of image analysis tools; the search was restricted to English language papers published in the 25 years until December 31, 2018. Results Literature regarding digital transplant pathology is mostly about the digital interpretation of posttransplant biopsies (75 vs. 19), with 15/75 (20%) articles focusing on agreement/reproducibility. Several papers concentrated on the correlation between biopsy features assessed by digital image analysis (DIA) and clinical outcome (45/75, 60%). Whole-slide imaging (WSI) only appeared in recent publications, starting from 2011 (13/75, 17.3%). Papers dealing with preimplantation biopsy are less numerous, the majority (13/19, 68.4%) of which focus on diagnostic agreement between digital microscopy and light microscopy (LM), with WSI technology being used in only a small quota of papers (4/19, 21.1%). Conclusions Overall, published studies show good concordance between digital microscopy and LM modalities for diagnosis. DIA has the potential to increase diagnostic reproducibility and facilitate the identification and quantification of histological parameters. Thus, with advancing technology such as faster scanning times, better image resolution, and novel image algorithms, it is likely that WSI will eventually replace LM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Girolami
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anil Parwani
- Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Valeria Barresi
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Marletta
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Serena Ammendola
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lavinia Stefanizzi
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Luca Novelli
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Histopathology and Molecular Diagnosis, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Arrigo Capitanio
- Department of Clinical Pathology, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Matteo Brunelli
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Liron Pantanowitz
- Department of Pathology, UPMC Shadyside Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Albino Eccher
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
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8
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Eisenberger U, Budde K, Lehner F, Sommerer C, Reinke P, Witzke O, Wüthrich RP, Stahl R, Heller K, Suwelack B, Mühlfeld A, Hauser IA, Nadalin S, Porstner M, Arns W. Histological findings to five years after early conversion of kidney transplant patients from cyclosporine to everolimus: an analysis from the randomized ZEUS study. BMC Nephrol 2018; 19:154. [PMID: 29954336 PMCID: PMC6025714 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-018-0950-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Conversion from calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) therapy to everolimus within 6 months after kidney transplantation improves long-term graft function but can increase the risk of mild biopsy-proven acute cellular rejection (BPAR). We performed a post-hoc analysis of histological data from a randomized trial in order to further analyze histologic information obtained from indication and protocol biopsies up to 5 years after transplantation. Methods Biopsy samples obtained up to 5 years post-transplant were analyzed from the randomized ZEUS study, in which kidney transplant patients were randomized at month 4.5 to switch to everolimus (n = 154) or remain on cyclosporine (CsA)-based immunosuppression (n = 146). All patients received mycophenolate and steroids. Results At least one investigator-initiated biopsy was undertaken in 53 patients in each group between randomization and year 5, with a mean (SD) of 2.6 (1.7) and 2.2 (1.4) biopsies per patient in the everolimus and CsA groups, respectively. In the everolimus and CsA groups, investigator-initiated biopsies showed (i) BPAR in 12.3 and 7.5% (p = 0.182) of patients, respectively, with episodes graded mild in 22/24 and 18/20 cases (ii) CsA toxicity lesions in 4.5 and 10.3% of patients (p = 0.076) (iii) antibody-mediated rejection in 0.6 and 2.7% of patients (p = 0.204), respectively. Conclusions This analysis of histological findings in the ZEUS study to 5 years after kidney transplantation shows no increase in antibody-mediated rejection under everolimus-based therapy with a lower rate of CNI-related toxicity compared to a conventional CsA-based regimen, and confirms the preponderance of mild BPAR seen in the main study after the early switch to CsA-free everolimus therapy. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00154310. Date of registration: September 12, 2005. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12882-018-0950-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Eisenberger
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr, 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
| | - Klemens Budde
- Department of Nephrology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Lehner
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Claudia Sommerer
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petra Reinke
- Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité Campus Virchow, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Rolf Stahl
- Division of Nephrology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Heller
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Suwelack
- Department of Internal Medicine - Transplant Nephrology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Anja Mühlfeld
- Division of Nephrology and Immunology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ingeborg A Hauser
- Med. Klinik III, Department of Nephrology, UKF, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Silvio Nadalin
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Wolfgang Arns
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation, Cologne Merheim Medical Center, Cologne, Germany
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Jones-Hughes T, Snowsill T, Haasova M, Coelho H, Crathorne L, Cooper C, Mujica-Mota R, Peters J, Varley-Campbell J, Huxley N, Moore J, Allwood M, Lowe J, Hyde C, Hoyle M, Bond M, Anderson R. Immunosuppressive therapy for kidney transplantation in adults: a systematic review and economic model. Health Technol Assess 2018; 20:1-594. [PMID: 27578428 DOI: 10.3310/hta20620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-stage renal disease is a long-term irreversible decline in kidney function requiring renal replacement therapy: kidney transplantation, haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The preferred option is kidney transplantation, followed by immunosuppressive therapy (induction and maintenance therapy) to reduce the risk of kidney rejection and prolong graft survival. OBJECTIVES To review and update the evidence for the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of basiliximab (BAS) (Simulect(®), Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd) and rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin (rATG) (Thymoglobulin(®), Sanofi) as induction therapy, and immediate-release tacrolimus (TAC) (Adoport(®), Sandoz; Capexion(®), Mylan; Modigraf(®), Astellas Pharma; Perixis(®), Accord Healthcare; Prograf(®), Astellas Pharma; Tacni(®), Teva; Vivadex(®), Dexcel Pharma), prolonged-release tacrolimus (Advagraf(®) Astellas Pharma), belatacept (BEL) (Nulojix(®), Bristol-Myers Squibb), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (Arzip(®), Zentiva; CellCept(®), Roche Products; Myfenax(®), Teva), mycophenolate sodium (MPS) (Myfortic(®), Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd), sirolimus (SRL) (Rapamune(®), Pfizer) and everolimus (EVL) (Certican(®), Novartis) as maintenance therapy in adult renal transplantation. METHODS Clinical effectiveness searches were conducted until 18 November 2014 in MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (via Wiley Online Library) and Web of Science (via ISI), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment (The Cochrane Library via Wiley Online Library) and Health Management Information Consortium (via Ovid). Cost-effectiveness searches were conducted until 18 November 2014 using a costs or economic literature search filter in MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), NHS Economic Evaluation Database (via Wiley Online Library), Web of Science (via ISI), Health Economic Evaluations Database (via Wiley Online Library) and the American Economic Association's electronic bibliography (via EconLit, EBSCOhost). Included studies were selected according to predefined methods and criteria. A random-effects model was used to analyse clinical effectiveness data (odds ratios for binary data and mean differences for continuous data). Network meta-analyses were undertaken within a Bayesian framework. A new discrete time-state transition economic model (semi-Markov) was developed, with acute rejection, graft function (GRF) and new-onset diabetes mellitus used to extrapolate graft survival. Recipients were assumed to be in one of three health states: functioning graft, graft loss or death. RESULTS Eighty-nine randomised controlled trials (RCTs), of variable quality, were included. For induction therapy, no treatment appeared more effective than another in reducing graft loss or mortality. Compared with placebo/no induction, rATG and BAS appeared more effective in reducing biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) and BAS appeared more effective at improving GRF. For maintenance therapy, no treatment was better for all outcomes and no treatment appeared most effective at reducing graft loss. BEL + MMF appeared more effective than TAC + MMF and SRL + MMF at reducing mortality. MMF + CSA (ciclosporin), TAC + MMF, SRL + TAC, TAC + AZA (azathioprine) and EVL + CSA appeared more effective than CSA + AZA and EVL + MPS at reducing BPAR. SRL + AZA, TAC + AZA, TAC + MMF and BEL + MMF appeared to improve GRF compared with CSA + AZA and MMF + CSA. In the base-case deterministic and probabilistic analyses, BAS, MMF and TAC were predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000 and £30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). When comparing all regimens, only BAS + TAC + MMF was cost-effective at £20,000 and £30,000 per QALY. LIMITATIONS For included trials, there was substantial methodological heterogeneity, few trials reported follow-up beyond 1 year, and there were insufficient data to perform subgroup analysis. Treatment discontinuation and switching were not modelled. FUTURE WORK High-quality, better-reported, longer-term RCTs are needed. Ideally, these would be sufficiently powered for subgroup analysis and include health-related quality of life as an outcome. CONCLUSION Only a regimen of BAS induction followed by maintenance with TAC and MMF is likely to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per QALY. STUDY REGISTRATION This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42014013189. FUNDING The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey Jones-Hughes
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Tristan Snowsill
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Marcela Haasova
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Helen Coelho
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Louise Crathorne
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Chris Cooper
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Ruben Mujica-Mota
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jaime Peters
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jo Varley-Campbell
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Nicola Huxley
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jason Moore
- Exeter Kidney Unit, Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust Hospital, Exeter, UK
| | - Matt Allwood
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jenny Lowe
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Chris Hyde
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Martin Hoyle
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Mary Bond
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Rob Anderson
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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10
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Haasova M, Snowsill T, Jones-Hughes T, Crathorne L, Cooper C, Varley-Campbell J, Mujica-Mota R, Coelho H, Huxley N, Lowe J, Dudley J, Marks S, Hyde C, Bond M, Anderson R. Immunosuppressive therapy for kidney transplantation in children and adolescents: systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess 2018; 20:1-324. [PMID: 27557331 DOI: 10.3310/hta20610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-stage renal disease is a long-term irreversible decline in kidney function requiring kidney transplantation, haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The preferred option is kidney transplantation followed by induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapy to reduce the risk of kidney rejection and prolong graft survival. OBJECTIVES To systematically review and update the evidence for the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of basiliximab (BAS) (Simulect,(®) Novartis Pharmaceuticals) and rabbit antihuman thymocyte immunoglobulin (Thymoglobuline,(®) Sanofi) as induction therapy and immediate-release tacrolimus [Adoport(®) (Sandoz); Capexion(®) (Mylan); Modigraf(®) (Astellas Pharma); Perixis(®) (Accord Healthcare); Prograf(®) (Astellas Pharma); Tacni(®) (Teva); Vivadex(®) (Dexcel Pharma)], prolonged-release tacrolimus (Advagraf,(®) Astellas Pharma); belatacept (BEL) (Nulojix,(®) Bristol-Myers Squibb), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) [Arzip(®) (Zentiva), CellCept(®) (Roche Products), Myfenax(®) (Teva), generic MMF is manufactured by Accord Healthcare, Actavis, Arrow Pharmaceuticals, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Mylan, Sandoz and Wockhardt], mycophenolate sodium, sirolimus (Rapamune,(®) Pfizer) and everolimus (Certican,(®) Novartis Pharmaceuticals) as maintenance therapy in children and adolescents undergoing renal transplantation. DATA SOURCES Clinical effectiveness searches were conducted to 7 January 2015 in MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (via Wiley Online Library) and Web of Science [via Institute for Scientific Information (ISI)], Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) (The Cochrane Library via Wiley Online Library) and Health Management Information Consortium (via Ovid). Cost-effectiveness searches were conducted to 15 January 2015 using a costs or economic literature search filter in MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), NHS Economic Evaluation Databases (via Wiley Online Library), Web of Science (via ISI), Health Economic Evaluations Database (via Wiley Online Library) and EconLit (via EBSCOhost). REVIEW METHODS Titles and abstracts were screened according to predefined inclusion criteria, as were full texts of identified studies. Included studies were extracted and quality appraised. Data were meta-analysed when appropriate. A new discrete time state transition economic model (semi-Markov) was developed; graft function, and incidences of acute rejection and new-onset diabetes mellitus were used to extrapolate graft survival. Recipients were assumed to be in one of three health states: functioning graft, graft loss or death. RESULTS Three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and four non-RCTs were included. The RCTs only evaluated BAS and tacrolimus (TAC). No statistically significant differences in key outcomes were found between BAS and placebo/no induction. Statistically significantly higher graft function (p < 0.01) and less biopsy-proven acute rejection (odds ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 0.57) was found between TAC and ciclosporin (CSA). Only one cost-effectiveness study was identified, which informed NICE guidance TA99. BAS [with TAC and azathioprine (AZA)] was predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) versus no induction (BAS was dominant). BAS (with CSA and MMF) was not predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per QALY versus no induction (BAS was dominated). TAC (with AZA) was predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per QALY versus CSA (TAC was dominant). A model based on adult evidence suggests that at a cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000-30,000 per QALY, BAS and TAC are cost-effective in all considered combinations; MMF was also cost-effective with CSA but not TAC. LIMITATIONS The RCT evidence is very limited; analyses comparing all interventions need to rely on adult evidence. CONCLUSIONS TAC is likely to be cost-effective (vs. CSA, in combination with AZA) at £20,000-30,000 per QALY. Analysis based on one RCT found BAS to be dominant, but analysis based on another RCT found BAS to be dominated. BAS plus TAC and AZA was predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per QALY when all regimens were compared using extrapolated adult evidence. High-quality primary effectiveness research is needed. The UK Renal Registry could form the basis for a prospective primary study. STUDY REGISTRATION This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42014013544. FUNDING The National Institute for Health Research HTA programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Haasova
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Tristan Snowsill
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Tracey Jones-Hughes
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Louise Crathorne
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Chris Cooper
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jo Varley-Campbell
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Ruben Mujica-Mota
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Helen Coelho
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Nicola Huxley
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jenny Lowe
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jan Dudley
- Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust), Bristol, UK
| | - Stephen Marks
- Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Chris Hyde
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Mary Bond
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Rob Anderson
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Torres IB, Reisaeter AV, Moreso F, Âsberg A, Vidal M, Garcia-Carro C, Midtvedt K, Reinholt FP, Scott H, Castellà E, Salcedo M, Dörje C, Sellarés J, Azancot MA, Perello M, Holdaas H, Serón D. Tacrolimus and mycophenolate regimen and subclinical tubulo-interstitial inflammation in low immunological risk renal transplants. Transpl Int 2017; 30:1119-1131. [PMID: 28667664 DOI: 10.1111/tri.13002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim was to evaluate the relationship between maintenance immunosuppression, subclinical tubulo-interstitial inflammation and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA) in surveillance biopsies performed in low immunological risk renal transplants at two transplant centers. The Barcelona cohort consisted of 109 early and 66 late biopsies in patients receiving high tacrolimus (TAC-C0 target at 1-year 6-10 ng/ml) and reduced MMF dose (500 mg bid at 1-year). The Oslo cohort consisted of 262 early and 237 late biopsies performed in patients treated with low TAC-C0 (target 3-7 ng/ml) and standard MMF dose (750 mg bid). Subclinical inflammation, adjusted for confounders, was associated with low TAC-C0 in the early (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61-0.92; P = 0.006) and late biopsies (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50-0.95; P = 0.023) from Barcelona. In the Oslo cohort, it was associated with low MMF in early biopsies (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.83-0.98; P = 0.0101) and with low TAC-C0 in late biopsies (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61-0.97; P = 0.0286). MMF dose was significantly reduced in Oslo between early and late biopsies. IF/TA was not associated with TAC-C0 or MMF dose in the multivariate analysis. Our data suggest that in TAC- and MMF-based regimens, TAC-C0 levels are associated with subclinical inflammation in patients receiving reduced MMF dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina B Torres
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna V Reisaeter
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Francesc Moreso
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anders Âsberg
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Marta Vidal
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Garcia-Carro
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karsten Midtvedt
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Finn P Reinholt
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helge Scott
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva Castellà
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maite Salcedo
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christina Dörje
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Joana Sellarés
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria A Azancot
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Perello
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hallvard Holdaas
- Department of Transplant Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniel Serón
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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12
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Piñana JL, Perez-Pitarch A, Garcia-cadenas I, Barba P, Hernandez-Boluda JC, Esquirol A, Fox ML, Terol MJ, Queraltó JM, Vima J, Valcarcel D, Ferriols-Lisart R, Sierra J, Solano C, Martino R. A Time-to-Event Model for Acute Kidney Injury after Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Stem Cell Transplantation Using a Tacrolimus- and Sirolimus-based Graft-versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2017; 23:1177-1185. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2017.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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13
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Baker RJ, Mark PB, Patel RK, Stevens KK, Palmer N. Renal association clinical practice guideline in post-operative care in the kidney transplant recipient. BMC Nephrol 2017; 18:174. [PMID: 28571571 PMCID: PMC5455080 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-017-0553-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
These guidelines cover the care of patients from the period following kidney transplantation until the transplant is no longer working or the patient dies. During the early phase prevention of acute rejection and infection are the priority. After around 3-6 months, the priorities change to preservation of transplant function and avoiding the long-term complications of immunosuppressive medication (the medication used to suppress the immune system to prevent rejection). The topics discussed include organization of outpatient follow up, immunosuppressive medication, treatment of acute and chronic rejection, and prevention of complications. The potential complications discussed include heart disease, infection, cancer, bone disease and blood disorders. There is also a section on contraception and reproductive issues.Immediately after the introduction there is a statement of all the recommendations. These recommendations are written in a language that we think should be understandable by many patients, relatives, carers and other interested people. Consequently we have not reworded or restated them in this lay summary. They are graded 1 or 2 depending on the strength of the recommendation by the authors, and AD depending on the quality of the evidence that the recommendation is based on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Baker
- Renal Unit, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, England.
| | - Patrick B Mark
- Glasgow Renal and Transplant Unit, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Rajan K Patel
- Glasgow Renal and Transplant Unit, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Kate K Stevens
- Glasgow Renal and Transplant Unit, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland
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14
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Abstract
All causes of renal allograft injury, when severe and/or sustained, can result in chronic histological damage of which interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy are dominant features. Unless a specific disease process can be identified, what drives interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy progression in individual patients is often unclear. In general, clinicopathological factors known to predict and drive allograft fibrosis include graft quality, inflammation (whether "nonspecific" or related to a specific diagnosis), infections, such as polyomavirus-associated nephropathy, calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), and genetic factors. The incidence and severity of chronic histological damage have decreased substantially over the last 3 decades, but it is difficult to disentangle what effects individual innovations (eg, better matching and preservation techniques, lower CNI dosing, BK viremia screening) may have had. There is little evidence that CNI-sparing/minimization strategies, steroid minimization or renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade result in better preservation of intermediate-term histology. Treatment of subclinical rejections has only proven beneficial to histological and functional outcome in studies in which the rate of subclinical rejection in the first 3 months was greater than 10% to 15%. Potential novel antifibrotic strategies include antagonists of transforming growth factor-β, connective tissue growth factor, several tyrosine kinase ligands (epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor), endothelin and inhibitors of chemotaxis. Although many of these drugs are mainly being developed and marketed for oncological indications and diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a number may hold promise in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, which could eventually lead to applications in renal transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Vanhove
- 1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 2 Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 3 Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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15
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Bemelman FJ, de Fijter JW, Kers J, Meyer C, Peters-Sengers H, de Maar EF, van der Pant KAMI, de Vries APJ, Sanders JS, Zwinderman A, Idu MM, Berger S, Reinders MEJ, Krikke C, Bajema IM, van Dijk MC, Ten Berge IJM, Ringers J, Lardy J, Roelen D, Moes DJ, Florquin S, Homan van der Heide JJ. Early Conversion to Prednisolone/Everolimus as an Alternative Weaning Regimen Associates With Beneficial Renal Transplant Histology and Function: The Randomized-Controlled MECANO Trial. Am J Transplant 2017; 17:1020-1030. [PMID: 27639190 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In renal transplantation, use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) is associated with nephrotoxicity and immunosuppression with malignancies and infections. This trial aimed to minimize CNI exposure and total immunosuppression while maintaining efficacy. We performed a randomized controlled, open-label multicenter trial with early cyclosporine A (CsA) elimination. Patients started with basiliximab, prednisolone (P), mycophenolate sodium (MPS), and CsA. At 6 months, immunosuppression was tapered to P/CsA, P/MPS, or P/everolimus (EVL). Primary outcomes were renal fibrosis and inflammation. Secondary outcomes were estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and incidence of rejection at 24 months. The P/MPS arm was prematurely halted. The trial continued with P/CsA (N = 89) and P/EVL (N = 96). Interstitial fibrosis and inflammation were significantly decreased and the eGFR was significantly higher in the P/EVL arm. Cumulative rejection rates were 13% (P/EVL) and 19% (P/CsA), (p = 0.08). A post hoc analysis of HLA and donor-specific antibodies at 1 year after transplantation revealed no differences. An individualized immunosuppressive strategy of early CNI elimination to dual therapy with everolimus was associated with decreased allograft fibrosis, preserved allograft function, and good efficacy, but also with more serious adverse events and discontinuation. This can be a valuable alternative regimen in patients suffering from CNI toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Bemelman
- Renal Transplant Unit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J W de Fijter
- Renal Transplant Unit, Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J Kers
- Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C Meyer
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - E F de Maar
- Department of Nephrology, Groningen University Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - A P J de Vries
- Renal Transplant Unit, Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J-S Sanders
- Department of Nephrology, Groningen University Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - A Zwinderman
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M M Idu
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - S Berger
- Department of Nephrology, Groningen University Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - M E J Reinders
- Renal Transplant Unit, Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - C Krikke
- Department of Surgery, Groningen University Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - I M Bajema
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - M C van Dijk
- Department of Pathology, Groningen University Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - J Ringers
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J Lardy
- Sanquin Diagnostic Services, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - D Roelen
- Department of Immunogenetics and Transplantation Immunology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - D-J Moes
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - S Florquin
- Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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16
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Shrestha BM. Two Decades of Tacrolimus in Renal Transplant: Basic Science and Clinical Evidences. EXP CLIN TRANSPLANT 2016; 15:1-9. [PMID: 27938316 DOI: 10.6002/ect.2016.0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, has been the cornerstone of immunosuppressive regimens in renal transplant over 2 decades. This has significantly improved the outcomes of renal transplant, including reduction of acute rejection episodes, improvement of renal function and graft survival, and reduction of some of the adverse effects associated with cyclosporine. However, use of tacrolimus is associated with a number of undesirable effects, such as nephrotoxicity, posttransplant diabetes mellitus, neurotoxicity, and cosmetic and electrolyte disturbances. To alleviate these effects, several strategies have been adopted to minimize or eliminate tacrolimus from maintenance regimens of immunosuppression, with some success. This review focuses on advancements in the understanding of the basic science related to tacrolimus and the clinical evidences that have examined the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in renal transplant over the past 2 decades and highlights the future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Badri Man Shrestha
- From the Sheffield Kidney Institute, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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17
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Malvezzi P, Rostaing L. The safety of calcineurin inhibitors for kidney-transplant patients. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2015; 14:1531-46. [DOI: 10.1517/14740338.2015.1083974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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18
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Safety and Efficacy Endpoints for Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy in Renal Transplant Recipients. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:391797. [PMID: 26258149 PMCID: PMC4518147 DOI: 10.1155/2015/391797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite excellent short-term graft survival after renal transplantation, the long-term graft outcome remains compromised. It has become evident that a combination of sustained alloreactivity and calcineurin-inhibitor- (CNI-) related nephrotoxicity results in fibrosis and consequently dysfunction of the graft. New immunosuppressive regimens that can minimize or eliminate side effects, while maintaining efficacy, are required to improve long-term graft survival. In this perspective mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an interesting candidate, since MSCs have immunosuppressive and regenerative properties. The first clinical trials with MSCs in renal transplantation showed safety and feasibility and displayed promising results. Recently, the first phase II studies have been started. One of the most difficult and challenging aspects in those early phase trials is to define accurate endpoints that can measure safety and efficacy of MSC treatment. Since both graft losses and acute rejection rates declined, alternative surrogate markers such as renal function, histological findings, and immunological markers are used to measure efficacy and to provide mechanistic insight. In this review, we will discuss the current status of MSCs in renal transplantation with a focus on the endpoints used in the different experimental and clinical studies.
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19
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Reinders MEJ, Bank JR, Dreyer GJ, Roelofs H, Heidt S, Roelen DL, Al Huurman V, Lindeman J, van Kooten C, Claas FHJ, Fibbe WE, Rabelink TJ, de Fijter JW. Autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in combination with everolimus to preserve renal structure and function in renal transplant recipients. J Transl Med 2014; 12:331. [PMID: 25491391 PMCID: PMC4273432 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-014-0331-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Kidney transplantation has improved survival and quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease. Despite excellent short-term results due to better and more potent immunosuppressive drugs, long-term survival of transplanted kidneys has not improved accordingly in the last decades. Consequently there is a strong interest in immunosuppressive regimens that maintain efficacy for the prevention of rejection, whilst preserving renal structure and function. In this respect the infusion of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may be an interesting immune suppressive strategy. MSCs have immune suppressive properties and actively contribute to tissue repair. In experimental animal studies the combination of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor and MSCs was shown to attenuate allo immune responses and to promote allograft tolerance. The current study will test the hypothesis that MSC treatment, in combination with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus, facilitates tacrolimus withdrawal, reduces fibrosis and decreases the incidence of opportunistic infections compared to standard tacrolimus dose. Methods/design 70 renal allograft recipients, 18–75 years old, will be included in this Phase II, open label, randomized, non-blinded, prospective, single centre clinical study. Patients in the MSC treated group will receive two doses of autologous bone marrow derived MSCs IV (target 1,5x106, Range 1-2x106 million MSCs per/kg body weight), 7 days apart, 6 and 7 weeks transplantation in combination with everolimus and prednisolone. At the time of the second MSC infusion tacrolimus will be reduced to 50% and completely withdrawn 1 week later. Patients in the control group will receive everolimus, prednisolone and standard dose tacrolimus. The primary end point is to compare fibrosis by quantitative Sirius Red scoring of MSC treated and untreated groups at 6 months compared to 4 weeks post-transplant. Secondary end points include: composite end point efficacy failure (Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection, graft loss or death); renal function and proteinuria; opportunistic infections; immune monitoring and “subclinical” cardiovascular disease groups by assessing echocardiography in the different treatment groups. Discussion This study will provide information whether MSCs in combination with everolimus can be used for tacrolimus withdrawal, and whether this strategy leads to preservation of renal structure and function in renal recipients. Trial registration NCT02057965.
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20
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Goring SM, Levy AR, Ghement I, Kalsekar A, Eyawo O, L'Italien GJ, Kasiske B. A network meta-analysis of the efficacy of belatacept, cyclosporine and tacrolimus for immunosuppression therapy in adult renal transplant recipients. Curr Med Res Opin 2014; 30:1473-87. [PMID: 24628478 DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2014.898140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Belatacept is a first in-class co-stimulation blocker developed for primary maintenance immunosuppression following renal transplantation. The objective of this study was to estimate the efficacy of belatacept relative to tacrolimus and cyclosporine among adults receiving a single kidney transplant. A systematic review was conducted of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published between January 1990 and December 2013 using EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and unpublished study reports from two belatacept RCTs. Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) methods were used to compare the efficacy measures, mortality, graft loss, acute rejection and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Heterogeneity was quantified using statistical metrics and potential sources were evaluated using meta-regression and subgroup analysis. A total of 28 RCTs comparing tacrolimus with cyclosporine, and three comparing belatacept with cyclosporine, were identified. All three agents provided comparable graft and patient survival, despite a higher risk of acute rejection associated with belatacept and cyclosporine. Belatacept was associated with significant improvement in GFR versus cyclosporine. Compared with tacrolimus, this difference was clinically meaningful yet statistically non-significant. The probability of being the best treatment was highest for belatacept for graft survival (68%), patient survival (97%) and renal function (89%), and highest for tacrolimus for acute rejection (99%).Variability in donor, recipient, and trial characteristics was present in the included RCTs; however, minimal statistical heterogeneity was detected in the analysis of acute rejection, graft or patient survival, and none of the characteristics were found to be significantly associated with relative effect. Although the direction of effect of immunosuppressants on GFR was consistent across RCTs, precise estimation of its magnitude was limited by a small number of RCTs and heterogeneity in relative effect sizes. Clinicians often seek an alternative to CNIs due to their nephrotoxic effects. The results of this indirect comparison indicate that belatacept is an effective immunosuppressive agent in renal transplantation among adults.
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21
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Mathis AS, Egloff G, Ghin HL. Calcineurin inhibitor sparing strategies in renal transplantation, part one: Late sparing strategies. World J Transplant 2014; 4:57-80. [PMID: 25032096 PMCID: PMC4094953 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v4.i2.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney transplantation improves quality of life and reduces the risk of mortality. A majority of the success of kidney transplantation is attributable to the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), cyclosporine and tacrolimus, and their ability to reduce acute rejection rates. However, long-term graft survival rates have not improved over time, and although controversial, evidence does suggest a role of chronic CNI toxicity in this failure to improve outcomes. Consequently, there is interest in reducing or removing CNIs from immunosuppressive regimens in an attempt to improve outcomes. Several strategies exist to spare calcineurin inhibitors, including use of agents such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), mycophenolate sodium (MPS), sirolimus, everolimus or belatacept to facilitate late calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal, beyond 6 mo post-transplant; or using these agents to plan early withdrawal within 6 mo; or to avoid the CNIs all together using CNI-free regimens. Although numerous reviews have been written on this topic, practice varies significantly between centers. This review organizes the data based on patient characteristics (i.e., the baseline immunosuppressive regimen) as a means to aid the practicing clinician in caring for their patients, by matching up their situation with the relevant literature. The current review, the first in a series of two, examines the potential of immunosuppressive agents to facilitate late CNI withdrawal beyond 6 mo post-transplant, and has demonstrated that the strongest evidence resides with MMF/MPS. MMF or MPS can be successfully introduced/maintained to facilitate late CNI withdrawal and improve renal function in the setting of graft deterioration, albeit with an increased risk of acute rejection and infection. Additional benefits may include improved blood pressure, lipid profile and serum glucose. Sirolimus has less data directly comparing CNI withdrawal to an active CNI-containing regimen, but modest improvement in short-term renal function is possible, with an increased risk of proteinuria, especially in the setting of baseline renal dysfunction and/or proteinuria. Renal outcomes may be improved when sirolimus is used in combination with MMF. Although data with everolimus is less robust, results appear similar to those observed with sirolimus.
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The Interplay between inflammation and fibrosis in kidney transplantation. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:750602. [PMID: 24991565 PMCID: PMC4065724 DOI: 10.1155/2014/750602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Serial surveillance renal allograft biopsies have shown that early subclinical inflammation constitutes a risk factor for the development of interstitial fibrosis. More recently, it has been observed that persistent inflammation is also associated with fibrosis progression and chronic humoral rejection, two histological conditions associated with poor allograft survival. Treatment of subclinical inflammation with steroid boluses prevents progression of fibrosis and preserves renal function in patients treated with a cyclosporine-based regimen. Subclinical inflammation has been reduced after the introduction of tacrolimus based regimens, and it has been shown that immunosuppressive schedules that are effective in preventing acute rejection and subclinical inflammation may prevent the progression of fibrosis and chronic humoral rejection. On the other hand, minimization protocols are associated with progression of fibrosis, and noncompliance with the immunosuppressive regime constitutes a major risk factor for chronic humoral rejection. Thus, adequate immunosuppressive treatment, avoiding minimization strategies and reinforcing educational actions to prevent noncompliance, is at present an effective approach to combat the progression of fibrosis.
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Richards KR, Hager D, Muth B, Astor BC, Kaufman D, Djamali A. Tacrolimus Trough Level at Discharge Predicts Acute Rejection in Moderately Sensitized Renal Transplant Recipients. Transplantation 2014; 97:986-91. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000000149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Bechstein WO, Paczek L, Wramner L, Squifflet JP, Zygmunt AJ. A comparative, randomized trial of concentration-controlled sirolimus combined with reduced-dose tacrolimus or standard-dose tacrolimus in renal allograft recipients. Transplant Proc 2014; 45:2133-40. [PMID: 23953523 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical safety and efficacy of sirolimus plus reduced-dose tacrolimus was evaluated in de novo renal allograft recipients enrolled in a comparative, open-label study. METHODS One hundred twenty-eight renal allograft recipients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive reduced-dose tacrolimus plus sirolimus (rTAC) or standard-dose tacrolimus and sirolimus (sTAC) for 6 months. The primary efficacy endpoint was calculated creatinine clearance values at 6 months. RESULTS Demographic variables were similar between groups. At 6 months, mean (± standard deviation) calculated creatinine clearance was significantly improved in the rTAC group (63.8 vs 52.7 mL/min, P = .005), although mean serum creatinine values were not significantly different. Patient survival (95.2% and 96.9%) and graft survival (93.7% and 98.5%) were similar between the rTAC and sTAC groups, respectively. Acute rejection rates were 17.5% with rTAC and 7.7% with sTAC (P = .095). CONCLUSIONS The rTAC regimen provided effective immunosuppression and was associated with improved creatinine clearance. Adequate immunosuppressant exposure must be achieved in the early postoperative period to minimize the risk of acute rejection.
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Impact of late calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal on ambulatory blood pressure and carotid intima media thickness in renal transplant recipients. Transplantation 2013; 96:49-57. [PMID: 23715049 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3182958552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) have an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile in renal transplant recipients. The aim of this substudy was to assess the effects of late CNI or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) withdrawal on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and carotid intima media thickness. METHODS A total of 119 stable renal transplant recipients on triple regimen with steroids, a CNI and MMF were randomized into either the concentration-controlled CNI or MMF withdrawal groups. Patients were treated for traditional cardiovascular risk factors according to predefined targets. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and measurements of intima media thickness were performed at baseline and after 1, 2, and 3 years after randomization. RESULTS CNI withdrawal resulted in a significant decline in both ambulatory day- and nighttime blood pressures (daytime: systolic blood pressure, -1.6 mm Hg/y, P=0.018; diastolic blood pressure, -1.3 mm Hg/y, P=0.002; nighttime systolic blood pressure: -1.9 mm Hg/y, P=0.008; diastolic blood pressure: -1.3 mm Hg/y, P=0.014), which was not observed after MMF withdrawal. There was no difference in the proportion of nocturnal nondippers (both groups, 69%, P=0.95). Despite the reduction in ambulatory blood pressure, no effect of CNI withdrawal on carotid intima media thickness was found. CONCLUSION In stable renal transplant recipients, late CNI withdrawal from a triple drug regimen decreased blood pressure in comparison with MMF withdrawal but had no specific impact on carotid intima media thickness. Considering the high prevalence of hypertension in patients on CNI therapy, most stable renal transplant recipients may benefit from late CNI withdrawal by improved blood pressure control.
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Guleria S, Jain S, Dinda AK, Mahajan S, Gupta S, Mehra NK. The short-term impact of protocol biopsies in a live-related renal transplant program using tacrolimus based immunosuppression. Indian J Nephrol 2013; 23:253-8. [PMID: 23960339 PMCID: PMC3741967 DOI: 10.4103/0971-4065.114474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess the impact of protocol biopsies in a live-related renal transplant program using tacrolimus-based immunosuppression in the short term. Eighty-three live-related transplant recipients were randomly allocated to protocol biopsy group (Group I, n = 40) and a control group (Group II, n = 43). Other immunosuppressants in these groups consisted of either mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine and steroids. Protocol biopsies were conducted in biopsy group at 1, 6, and 12 months post-transplant. The non-biopsy group was followed by serial serum creatinine and biopsies in them were conducted as and when clinically indicated. Both groups were analyzed at 12 months with respect to graft function and survival. The two groups were similar with respect to age, number of dialysis pre-operatively, tacrolimus levels, induction therapy, donor age, and donor glomerular filtration rate. Forty protocol biopsies were conducted at 1 month, 31 at 6 months, and 26 at 12 months. The prevalence of sub-clinical rejection at 1, 6, and 12 months in these biopsies was 17.5%, 11.2%, and 10.3%, respectively. The prevalence of calcineurin inhibitor toxicity during same period was 15%, 15.5%, and 14.4%, respectively. The cumulative rejection rate in Group I and Group II at 12-month follow-up was 10.3% and 11.3% (P = 0.78), respectively, and cumulative calcineurin inhibitor toxicity at 12 months was 14.4% and 9.3% (P = 0.59), respectively, were not statistically significant. There was no difference in graft survival and function at 1 year. Protocol biopsies have a limited role in a well-matched renal transplant program with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression in the short term. However, the long-term impact of protocol biopsies needs further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Guleria
- Department of Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
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Baas MC, Gerdes VEA, Ten Berge IJM, Heutinck KM, Florquin S, Meijers JCM, Bemelman FJ. Treatment with everolimus is associated with a procoagulant state. Thromb Res 2013; 132:307-11. [PMID: 23906938 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2013.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2012] [Revised: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Renal transplant recipients are at increased risk of venous thromboembolic events, which is in part caused by their treatment with maintenance immunosuppressive drugs. Because we observed an increased incidence of venous thromboembolic events in renal transplant recipients treated with the mTOR inhibitor (mTORi) everolimus, we aimed to identify prothrombotic mechanisms of this immunosuppressive drug. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a single center study, nested in a multi-center randomized controlled trial, we measured parameters of coagulation, anti-coagulation and fibrinolysis in renal transplant recipients, receiving the mTORi everolimus (n=16, mTOR group) and compared them to a similar patient group, receiving a calcineurin inhibitor and/or mycophenolate sodium (n=20, non-mTOR group). All patients were at least 6 months following transplantation with a stable transplant function. RESULTS The use of an mTORi was associated with significantly higher levels of von Willebrand factor, prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 as compared to a non-mTORi based immunosuppressive regimen. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with an mTORi leads to increased endothelial activation, thrombin formation and impaired fibrinolysis in renal transplant recipients. This suggests an increased risk of thrombotic events in renal transplant recipients treated with mTOR inhibitors. A prospective study to establish the precise risk of thrombotic events in these patients is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marije C Baas
- Renal Transplant Unit, Department of Nephrology, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Renal and urinary levels of endothelial protein C receptor correlate with acute renal allograft rejection. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64994. [PMID: 23717683 PMCID: PMC3661509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Endothelial Protein C Receptor (EPCR) is expressed on leukocytes, on endothelium of large blood vessels and to a lesser extent on capillaries. Membrane bound EPCR plays an important role in the activation of protein C which has anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects. After cleavage by a protease EPCR is also found as a soluble protein. Acute rejection of kidney allografts can be divided in T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) and antibody-mediated (ABMR) rejection. The latter is characterized by strong activation of coagulation. Currently no reliable non-invasive biomarkers are available to monitor rejection. Renal biopsies were available from 81 renal transplant patients (33 without rejection, 26 TCMR and 22 ABMR), we had access to mRNA material, matched plasma and urine samples for a portion of this cohort. Renal EPCR expression was assessed by RT-PCR and immunostaining. Plasma and urine sEPCR levels were measured by ELISA. ABMR patients showed higher levels of EPCR mRNA than TCMR patients. EPCR expression on glomeruli was significantly elevated in ABMR patients than in TCMR or control patients. In the peritubular capillaries EPCR expression was higher in ABMR patients than in control patients. EPCR expression was higher in tubules and arteries of rejection patients than in control patients. Plasma sEPCR levels did not differ. Urine sEPCR levels were more elevated in the ABMR group than in patients with TCMR or without rejection. ROC analysis demonstrated that urinary sEPCR is appropriate to discriminate between ABMR patients and TCMR or control patients. We conclude that urinary sEPCR could be a novel non-invasive biomarker of antibody mediated rejection in renal transplantation.
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Khairoun M, de Koning EJP, van den Berg BM, Lievers E, de Boer HC, Schaapherder AFM, Mallat MJK, Rotmans JI, van der Boog PJM, van Zonneveld AJ, de Fijter JW, Rabelink TJ, Reinders MEJ. Microvascular damage in type 1 diabetic patients is reversed in the first year after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Am J Transplant 2013; 13:1272-81. [PMID: 23433125 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.12182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Revised: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) is an advanced treatment option for type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with microvascular disease including nephropathy. Sidestreamdarkfield (SDF) imaging has emerged as a noninvasive tool to visualize the human microcirculation. This study assessed the effect of SPK in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients on microvascular alterations using SDF and correlated this with markers for endothelial dysfunction. Microvascular morphology was visualized using SDF of the oral mucosa in DN (n = 26) and SPK patients (n = 38), healthy controls (n = 20), DM1 patients (n = 15, DM ≥ 40 mL/min) and DN patients with a kidney transplant (KTx, n = 15). Furthermore, 21 DN patients were studied longitudinally up to 12 months after SPK. Circulating levels of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) were measured using ELISA. Capillary tortuosity in the DN (1.83 ± 0.42) and DM ≥ 40 mL/min (1.55 ± 0.1) group was increased and showed reversal after SPK (1.31 ± 0.3, p < 0.001), but not after KTx (1.64 ± 0.1). sTM levels were increased in DN patients and reduced in SPK and KTx recipients (p < 0.05), while the Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio was normalized after SPK and not after KTx alone (from 0.16 ± 0.04 to 0.08 ± 0.02, p < 0.05). Interestingly, in the longitudinal study, reversal of capillary tortuosity and decrease in Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio and sTM was observed within 12 months after SPK. SPK is effective in reversing the systemic microvascular structural abnormalities in DN patients in the first year after transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Khairoun
- Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
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Randomized trial comparing late concentration-controlled calcineurin inhibitor or mycophenolate mofetil withdrawal. Transplantation 2012; 93:887-94. [PMID: 22538450 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e31824ad60a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) withdrawal with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has not become routine practice, due to concerns about excess acute rejection. Therapeutic drug monitoring may be advantageous when the CNI or MMF is withdrawn. METHODS This prospective, randomized, concentration-controlled withdrawal study enrolled 177 stable renal transplant recipients on maintenance CNI-based immunosuppression, combined with steroids and MMF. After the feasibility phase of the study, patients were randomized to MMF-withdrawal (target area under the time-concentration curve-cyclosporine: 3250 ng·hr/mL or tacrolimus: 120 ng·hr/mL) or CNI-withdrawal (target area under the time-concentration curve-mycophenolic acid: 75 μg·hr/mL). RESULTS The estimated glomerular filtration rate (modification of diet in renal disease) remained significantly better after CNI elimination (59.5±2.1 mL/min vs. 51.1±2.1 mL/min, P = 0.006) up to 3 years and resulted in less functional decline, including the subgroup with an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 50 mL/min at baseline (P = 0.03). At 6 months, one patient in the MMF-withdrawal group (1.3%) and three in the CNI-withdrawal group (3.8%) experienced acute rejection (P = 0.62). The defined higher mycophenolic acid exposure was well tolerated. CONCLUSION These data indicate that with time the large majority of stable renal transplant recipients can be safely reduced to dual therapy with MMF or CNIs, applying concentration-controlled dosing. CNI-free patients, including those with moderate renal allograft dysfunction, have the benefit of improved renal function, whereas the risk of acute rejection after late withdrawal is low.
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Abboudi H, Macphee IA. Individualized immunosuppression in transplant patients: potential role of pharmacogenetics. PHARMACOGENOMICS & PERSONALIZED MEDICINE 2012; 5:63-72. [PMID: 23226063 PMCID: PMC3513229 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s21743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive drugs used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs have a narrow therapeutic index. Under treatment results in episodes of rejection leading to either damage or loss of the organ. Over immunosuppression increases the risk of infection and malignancy as well as drug specific complications including diabetes mellitus and nephrotoxicity. There is wide variation in the drug dose required to achieve target blood concentrations and there is often dissociation between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Currently, immunosuppressive drug treatment is individualized based on a clinical assessment of the risk of rejection or toxicity. Therapeutic drug monitoring is routinely employed for several immunosuppressive drugs. Pharmacogenetics has the potential to complement therapeutic drug monitoring but clinical benefit has yet to be demonstrated. Novel biomarker-based approaches to risk stratification and pharmacodynamic monitoring are under development and are ready for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Abboudi
- Division of Clinical Sciences, Renal Medicine, St George's, University of London, London, UK
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Gelens MACJ, Steegh FMEG, van Hooff JP, van Suylen RJ, Nieman FHM, van Heurn LWE, Peutz-Kootstra CJ, Christiaans MHL. Immunosuppressive regimen and interstitial fibrosis and tubules atrophy at 12 months postrenal transplant. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2012; 7:1010-7. [PMID: 22490875 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.09030911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Chronic renal transplant dysfunction is histopathologically characterized by interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. This study investigated the relative contribution of baseline donor, recipient, and transplant characteristics to interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy score at month 12 after renal transplantation. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS This retrospective study includes all 109 consecutive recipients with adequate implantation and month 12 biopsies transplanted between April of 2003 and February of 2007. Immunosuppression regimen was tacrolimus and steroids (10 days) plus either sirolimus or mycophenolate mofetil. RESULTS Average interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy score increased from 0.70 to 1.65 (P<0.001). In an adjusted multiple linear regression analysis, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy score at month 12 was significantly related to donor type (donors after cardiac death versus living donor had interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy score+0.41, 95% confidence interval=0.05-0.76, P=0.02), baseline interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, and immunosuppression regimen. Because of interaction between the latter two variables (P=0.002), results are given separately: recipients with a baseline interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy score of zero had a 0.60 higher score at month 12 (95% confidence interval=0.09-1.10, P=0.02) when mycophenolate mofetil-treated, whereas recipients with a baseline interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy score more than zero had a 0.38 higher score at month 12 (95% confidence interval=0.01-0.74, P=0.04) when sirolimus-treated. A higher score at month 12 correlated with a lower estimated GFR (ρ=-0.45, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that histologic assessment of a preimplantation biopsy may guide choice of immunosuppresion to maximize transplant survival and its interaction with type of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariëlle A C J Gelens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Veroux M, Tallarita T, Corona D, D’Assoro A, Gurrieri C, Veroux P. Sirolimus in solid organ transplantation: current therapies and new frontiers. Immunotherapy 2011; 3:1487-97. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.11.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Krejčí K, Tichý T, Al-Gabri S, Horák P, Ciferská H, Hrubý M, Horčička V, Strebl P, Zamboch K, Bachleda P, Zadrazil J. Protocol biopsy of a transplanted kidney as a tool for monitoring adequacy of immunosuppressive therapy: 10 years of experience from a single transplant center. Transplant Proc 2011; 43:1576-82. [PMID: 21693237 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2011.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Revised: 02/11/2011] [Accepted: 03/01/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aims of this prospective study were to determine the prevalence of clinically silent rejection changes and of nephrotoxicity of calcineurin inhibitors among repeated protocol biopsies of transplanted kidneys and to assess their impacts on chronic graft function and damage at the end of 1 year. METHODS We performed 424 protocol biopsies among 158 patients over the first year after transplantation. We monitored parameters of graft function and progression of chronic changes among subjects with clinically silent rejection or toxicity for comparison with a control cohort showing normal histological findings. The results of statistical tests were considered to be significant at a level of P < .05. RESULTS At 3 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months, there were normal histological findings among 30 (19%), 21 (14.8%), and 14 (11.3%) patients, respectively; subclinical rejection changes occurred in 49 (31%), 36 (25.4%), and 20 (16.2%) grafts, respectively. At the third week, histological signs of toxicity occurred in 33 (20.9%) patients with significant persistence despite reductions in calcineurin inhibitor doses. At the end of 1 year of follow-up, both subclinical and toxic changes produced similar increases in chronic changes as quantified by the Banff score and were significantly different from the control group (P < .05). Serum creatinine concentrations and glomerular filtration rates did not accurately reflect the degree of graft damage in the early posttransplantation period. CONCLUSIONS Subclinical rejection and toxic changes among a significant proportion of grafts are associated with progression of chronic changes already over the first year following transplantation. Hence they represent independent risk factors for the development of irreversible graft damage. Protocol biopsy seems to be an important method to monitor immunosuppressive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Krejčí
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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Sharif A, Shabir S, Chand S, Cockwell P, Ball S, Borrows R. Meta-analysis of calcineurin-inhibitor-sparing regimens in kidney transplantation. J Am Soc Nephrol 2011; 22:2107-18. [PMID: 21949096 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2010111160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcineurin-inhibitor-sparing strategies in kidney transplantation may spare patients the adverse effects of these drugs, but the efficacy of these strategies is unknown. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis to assess outcomes associated with reducing calcineurin inhibitor exposure from the time of transplantation. We search Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials for randomized controlled trials published between 1966 and 2010 that compared de novo calcineurin-inhibitor-sparing regimens to calcineurin-inhibitor-based regimens. In this analysis, we include 56 studies comprising data from 11337 renal transplant recipients. Use of the contemporary agents belatacept or tofacitinib, in combination with mycophenolate, decreased the odds of overall graft failure (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.39-0.96; P = 0.03). Similarly, minimization of calcineurin inhibitors in combination with various induction and adjunctive agents reduces the odds of graft failure (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.58-0.92; P = 0.009). Conversely, the use of inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), in combination with mycophenolate, increases the odds of graft failure (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.08-1.90; P = 0.01). Calcineurin-inhibitor-sparing strategies are associated with less delayed graft function (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.80-0.98; P = 0.02), improved graft function, and less new-onset diabetes. The more contemporary protocols did not seem to increase rates of acute rejection. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that reducing exposure to calcineurin inhibitors immediately after kidney transplantation may improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Sharif
- Renal Institute of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Pallet N, Djamali A, Legendre C. Challenges in diagnosing acute calcineurin-inhibitor induced nephrotoxicity: From toxicogenomics to emerging biomarkers. Pharmacol Res 2011; 64:25-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2011.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/27/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Baker R, Jardine A, Andrews P. Renal Association Clinical Practice Guideline on post-operative care of the kidney transplant recipient. Nephron Clin Pract 2011; 118 Suppl 1:c311-47. [PMID: 21555902 DOI: 10.1159/000328074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 02/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R Baker
- Renal Unit, Lincoln Wing, St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds.
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Abstract
Despite the impressive reduction in early acute rejection rates over the past decades, chronic allograft dysfunction remains a key issue after renal transplantation. A number of factors, such as the quality of the original organ, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and/or (treated) acute rejection, will adversely affect renal structure, causing early (but often mild) tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. It remains, however, controversial whether subclinical acute rejection or borderline changes imply a different functional prognosis with longer times of follow-up, if cases with late clinical acute rejection, inadequate dosing, and/or incompliance with drug prescription are excluded. Serum creatinine and immunosuppressant trough levels constitute the current standard biomarkers for assessing and renal function and systemic drug exposure, respectively. Serum creatinine is a notoriously unreliable marker for the glomerular filtration rate; changes in creatinine concentration occur late in disease progression and do not accurately represent the ongoing underlying renal damage. Trough level monitoring without information on the patient's absorption profile or the related systemic drug exposure is equally unreliable for guiding initial calcineurin inhibitor dosing or for controlling systemic drug exposure while tapering. Until more sophisticated biomarkers to guide clinical immunosupprression become available, protocol biopsies may prove to be most useful in patients with an increased risk for (late) acute rejection.
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Frei U, Daloze P, Vítko S, Klempnauer J, Reyes-Acevedo R, Titiz I, Fricke L, Bernasconi C, Ekberg H. Acute rejection in low-toxicity regimens: clinical impact and risk factors in the Symphony study. Clin Transplant 2011; 24:500-9. [PMID: 19758267 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2009.01093.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Symphony study assessed whether mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-based regimens containing reduced doses of adjunct immunosuppressants could reduce toxicity while maintaining efficacy. Here, we examined the impact of acute rejection and associated risk factors. The incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection in the low-dose tacrolimus group was approximately half that of the standard-dose cyclosporine and low-dose cyclosporine groups, and a third of that in the low-dose sirolimus group. The low-dose cyclosporine group had more severe rejection episodes (≥grade II) compared with other groups. Acute rejection was associated with a 10 mL/min glomerular filtration rate (GFR) reduction and a 5.3% absolute increase in graft loss at 12 months. Overall, the highest GFR was found in both rejecters and non-rejecters receiving low-dose tacrolimus, both in an intent-to-treat analysis and in patients successfully treated according to the protocol. In Cox regression models, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches and expanded criteria donors increased the acute rejection risk, while recipient age, living related donor, and MMF dose were associated with a reduced risk. Acute rejection was associated with worse outcome but did not entirely explain the differences among the treatment groups. The 2 g MMF plus low-dose tacrolimus combination appears to be the most efficient of all regimens examined regardless of acute rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Frei
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité, Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
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Krejci K, Tichy T, Bachleda P, Zadrazil J. CALCINEURIN INHIBITOR-INDUCED RENAL ALLOGRAFT NEPHROTOXICITY. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2010; 154:297-306. [DOI: 10.5507/bp.2010.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
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Tacrolimus dose requirements and CYP3A5 genotype and the development of calcineurin inhibitor-associated nephrotoxicity in renal allograft recipients. Ther Drug Monit 2010; 32:394-404. [PMID: 20526235 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0b013e3181e06818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Prolonged calcineurin inhibitor maintenance therapy in kidney allograft recipients is complicated by the development of chronic irreversible drug-induced nephrotoxicity (CNIT). METHODS In 304 de novo renal graft recipients, the association among tacrolimus exposure indices (dose, C(0), AUC(0-12h)), CYP3A5, CYP3A4 and ABCB1 polymorphisms, clinical covariables and de novo arteriolar hyalinization as a histologic sign of CNIT was examined. RESULTS Tacrolimus C(0) and AUC(0-12h) at 3 and 12 months posttransplantation did not differ between patients with and without CNIT. Patients who developed CNIT more often carried the CYP3A5*1 allele (32.4% versus 15.2%, P = 0.01). Twenty-five percent of recipients with tacrolimus dose requirements exceeding 0.2 mg/kg per day at 3 months posttransplantation developed CNIT, whereas 16.2% of patients with dose requirements between 0.10 and 0.20 mg/kg per day and 4.5% of patients who needed less than 0.10 mg/kg per day developed CNIT (P < 0.0001). These early differences in tacrolimus dose requirements between recipients with and without CNIT persisted during subsequent follow-up. In a Cox proportional hazards analysis, the CYP3A5*1 allele (hazard ratio: 2.38; 95% confidence interval: 1.15-4.92) or tacrolimus dose range (hazard ratio: 2.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.30-3.27) and continued corticosteroid therapy (hazard ratio: 4.75; 95% confidence interval: 1.13-19.98) were independently associated with CNIT. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve demonstrated a significant difference in CNIT-free survival (93.5% versus 81.8% versus 66.9%; log-rank test: P = 0.0006) between patients with, respectively, tacrolimus dose requirements less than 0.1, 0.1 or greater, less than 0.2, and 0.2 mg/kg per day or greater. More patients with CNIT sustained graft loss during follow-up (32.3% versus13.7%, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS High early tacrolimus dose requirements, predominantly but not exclusively encountered in CYP3A5*1 expressers, are associated with the development of calcineurin inhibitor-related nephrotoxicity, especially in recipients who continue corticosteroid therapy.
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White CA, Siegal D, Akbari A, Knoll GA. Use of kidney function end points in kidney transplant trials: a systematic review. Am J Kidney Dis 2010; 56:1140-57. [PMID: 21036442 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2010] [Accepted: 08/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials in kidney transplantation are beginning to include markers of kidney function as end points now that traditional outcomes, such as acute rejection, become increasingly rare events. The frequency and type of kidney function end points used are unknown. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review. SETTING & POPULATION Randomized controlled trials in adult kidney transplant recipients reported in 5 major general medical journals and 5 major subspecialty journals in nephrology and transplantation between January 2003 and November 2008. SELECTION CRITERIA Inclusion of at least one kidney function end point at least 1 month posttransplant. RESULTS 133 (79%) of 169 randomized trials identified used a kidney function end point. Of these, 37 (28%) used one or more measures of kidney function as the primary end point, and 81 (61%), as a secondary end point. For the primary end point, 21 (57%) trials used a creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 18 (49%) used serum creatinine level, and 7 (19%) used measured GFR. Overall, eGFR was an end point in 81 (61%) trials, and measured GFR, in 12 (9%) trials. LIMITATIONS This review is limited by the poor quality of the included trials, with many not defining either primary or secondary end points. CONCLUSIONS Measures of kidney function are used commonly as surrogate end points in kidney transplant trials, with eGFR becoming more frequently used over time. Further data are needed to properly validate these surrogate end points and fully understand their limitations when designing and interpreting randomized trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A White
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Intragraft tubular vimentin and CD44 expression correlate with long-term renal allograft function and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Transplantation 2010; 90:502-9. [PMID: 20588206 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181e86b42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Development of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA) is the main histologic feature involved in renal allograft deterioration. The aim of this study was to validate whether de novo tubular expression of CD44 (transmembrane glycoprotein) and vimentin (mesenchymal cell marker), both involved in renal fibrosis, can operate as surrogate markers for late IF/TA and renal function. Furthermore, we wanted to establish the interrater reproducibility for the scoring system, which can be a problem in histologic assessments. METHODS Six-month protocol renal allograft biopsies (n=30 for matching 12 months estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from which 20 matched the 12-month protocol biopsy) were immunostained for CD44 and vimentin, semiquantitatively scored by three observers of two centers, and correlated with IF/TA and eGFR at 12 months. RESULTS The interobserver agreement was excellent for CD44 (Kendall's W-coefficient: 0.69; P<0.001) and vimentin (Kendall's W-coefficient: 0.79; P<0.001). CD44 and vimentin expression at 6 months were significantly correlated with IF/TA (rho=0.481 for CD44 and rho=0.619 for vimentin) and eGFR (rho=-0.569 for CD44 and rho=-0.376 for vimentin) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Summarizing, de novo tubular expression of CD44 and vimentin can function as surrogate marker for IF/TA and eGFR at 12 months. Further area under receiver operator characteristic curve analysis has to establish the predictive value for both biomarkers.
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Krejcí K, Tichý T, Hrubý M, Horák P, Ciferská H, Horcicka V, Strebl P, Al-Jabry S, Bachleda P, Zadrazil J. Subclinical toxicity of calcineurin inhibitors in repeated protocol biopsies: an independent risk factor for chronic kidney allograft damage. Transpl Int 2009; 23:364-73. [PMID: 19906031 PMCID: PMC2860761 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2009.00995.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the prospective study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical toxicity of calcineurin inhibitors (CI) in repeated protocol renal allograft biopsies and to assess its impact on the development of chronic graft changes. A total of 424 biopsies were conducted in a cohort of 158 patients; of these biopsies, 158 were in the third week, 142 were in the third month and 124 were in the first year after transplantation. Histological signs of toxicity occurred in the third week in 33 (20.1%) patients, with persistence after CI dose reduction in the third month in 27 (19.0%) and in the first year in 23 (18.5%) patients. Of the toxic changes, 52% were clinically silent. At the end of the one-year follow-up, both subclinical and clinically manifest toxicity resulted in a similar progression of chronic changes quantified by Banff chronicity score and they significantly differed from the control group (P< 0.05). Subclinical toxicity affects a significant percentage of grafts; it occurs independently of dosage, blood level and type of applied CI. It is associated with the progression of chronic changes as early as in the first year after transplantation and represents an independent risk factor for chronic allograft damage. We report here our clinical approach to toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Krejcí
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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Abstract
The 2009 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guideline on the monitoring, management, and treatment of kidney transplant recipients is intended to assist the practitioner caring for adults and children after kidney transplantation. The guideline development process followed an evidence-based approach, and management recommendations are based on systematic reviews of relevant treatment trials. Critical appraisal of the quality of the evidence and the strength of recommendations followed the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The guideline makes recommendations for immunosuppression, graft monitoring, as well as prevention and treatment of infection, cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and other complications that are common in kidney transplant recipients, including hematological and bone disorders. Limitations of the evidence, especially on the lack of definitive clinical outcome trials, are discussed and suggestions are provided for future research.
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Minimization of maintenance immunosuppression early after renal transplantation: an interim analysis. Transplantation 2009; 88:421-8. [PMID: 19667948 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181af1df6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic allograft nephropathy is the main cause of long-term renal transplant failure. Chronic use of calcineurin inhibitors contributes to its pathogenesis. Here, we report on a multicenter randomized trial to study the effects of withdrawal of cyclosporine A (CsA) from a triple immunosuppressive regimen containing CsA, prednisolone (P), and mycophenolate sodium (MPS) early after transplantation. METHODS Patients continued on P/CsA, P/MPS, or P and everolimus (EVL). Before withdrawal, a transplant biopsy was performed ensuring no subclinical rejection was present. Drug levels were closely monitored. The primary outcome was interstitial graft fibrosis and hyalinosis. Secondary outcome was among others graft rejection. RESULTS According to trial regulations, an interim analysis was performed after enrollment of half of the intended number of patients (n=113). Mean follow-up was 14+/-5 months from transplantation and 8+/-5 months from conversion. After conversion, acute rejection percentages were 3% in the P/CsA group, 22% in the P/MPS group, and 0% in the P/EVL group (P<0.009). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that switching immunosuppressive therapy from P/CsA/MPS to therapy with P/CsA or P/EVL at 6 months after renal transplantation is effective in preventing rejection. Double therapy with P/MPS after withdrawal of P/CsA resulted in an increase in severe acute rejection episodes. These results were the immediate reason to halt the P/MPS arm. Serum creatinine values at the latest follow-up (8+/-5 months after conversion and 14+/-5 months after transplantation) in the P/EVL group were lower than in the P/CsA group.
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Roberts ISD, Stratopoulos C, Zilvetti M, Reddy S, Friend PJ. Impact of immunosuppression on the incidence of early subclinical renal allograft rejection: implications for protocol biopsy policy. Transpl Int 2009; 22:831-6. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2009.00878.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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van den Berg TJ, Bogers H, Vriesendorp TM, Surachno JS, DeVries JH, ten Berge IJ, Hoekstra JBL. No apparent impact of increased post-operative blood glucose levels on clinical outcome in kidney transplant recipients. Clin Transplant 2009; 23:256-63. [PMID: 19402220 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2008.00910.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our objective is to evaluate whether hyperglycemia in the first 48 h after renal transplantation is independently associated with rejection, post-operative infection and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in a retrospective cohort study. METHODS Patients who received a renal transplant in our hospital in 2003 or 2004 were included. Glucose values until 48 h after surgery were retrieved from laboratory reports. Biopsy proven acute rejection, culture proven infections and PTDM were scored until four months after transplantation. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and logistic multivariate analysis. RESULTS At least one post-operative glucose value could be retrieved for 150/151 patients. Rejection occurred in 46/150 (30.5%), infection in 47/150 (31.1%) and PTDM in 19/150 (12.6%) patients. When corrected for other risk factors, no relation was found between post-operative glucose levels and rejection (weak inverse relation, OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.65-1.03; p = 0.09), post-operative glucose and infections (OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.80-1.21; p = 0.84) and post-operative glucose and PTDM (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.70-1.23; p = 0.63). CONCLUSION Increased post-operative blood glucose levels after renal transplantation were not found to be a risk factor for graft rejection. Also, post-operative glucose levels were not found to be associated with PTDM and post-operative infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tijs J van den Berg
- Department of internal medicine, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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