Renal function at two years in liver transplant patients receiving everolimus: results of a randomized, multicenter study

In a 24-month prospective, randomized, multicenter, open-label study, de novo liver transplant patients were randomized at 30 days to everolimus (EVR) + Reduced tacrolimus (TAC; n = 245), TAC Control (n = 243) or TAC Elimination (n = 231). Randomization to TAC Elimination was stopped prematurely due to a significantly higher rate of treated biopsy-proven acute rejection (tBPAR). The incidence of the primary efficacy endpoint, composite efficacy failure rate of tBPAR, graft loss or death postrandomization was similar with EVR + Reduced TAC (10.3%) or TAC Control (12.5%) at month 24 (difference -2.2%, 97.5% confidence interval [CI] -8.8%, 4.4%). BPAR was less frequent in the EVR + Reduced TAC group (6.1% vs. 13.3% in TAC Control, p = 0.010). Adjusted change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from randomization to month 24 was superior with EVR + Reduced TAC versus TAC Control: difference 6.7 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (97.5% CI 1.9, 11.4 mL/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.002). Among patients who remained on treatment, mean (SD) eGFR at month 24 was 77.6 (26.5) mL/min/1.73 m(2) in the EVR + Reduced TAC group and 66.1 (19.3) mL/min/1.73 m(2) in the TAC Control group (p < 0.001). Study medication was discontinued due to adverse events in 28.6% of EVR + Reduced TAC and 18.2% of TAC Control patients. Early introduction of everolimus with reduced-exposure tacrolimus at 1 month after liver transplantation provided a significant and clinically relevant benefit for renal function at 2 years posttransplant.

Slewing Mirror Telescope optics for the early observation of UV/optical photons from Gamma-Ray Bursts

We report on design, manufacture, and testing of a Slewing Mirror Telescope (SMT), the first of its kind and a part of Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory-pathfinder (UFFO-p) for space-based prompt measurement of early UV/optical light curves from Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). Using a fast slewing mirror of 150 mm diameter mounted on a 2 axis gimbal stage, SMT can deliver the images of GRB optical counterparts to the intensified CCD detector within 1.5~1.8 s over ± 35 degrees in the slewing field of view. Its Ritchey-Chrétien telescope of 100 mm diameter provides a 17 × 17 arcmin² instantaneous field of view. Technical details of design, construction, the laboratory performance tests in space environments for this unique SMT are described in conjunction with the plan for in-orbit operation onboard the Lomonosov satellite in 2013.

Everolimus with reduced tacrolimus improves renal function in de novo liver transplant recipients: a randomized controlled trial

In a prospective, multicenter, open-label study, de novo liver transplant patients were randomized at day 30±5 to (i) everolimus initiation with tacrolimus elimination (TAC Elimination) (ii) everolimus initiation with reduced-exposure tacrolimus (EVR+Reduced TAC) or (iii) standard-exposure tacrolimus (TAC Control). Randomization to TAC Elimination was terminated prematurely due to a higher rate of treated biopsy-proven acute rejection (tBPAR). EVR+Reduced TAC was noninferior to TAC Control for the primary efficacy endpoint (tBPAR, graft loss or death at 12 months posttransplantation): 6.7% versus 9.7% (-3.0%; 95% CI -8.7, 2.6%; p<0.001 for noninferiority [12% margin]). tBPAR occurred in 2.9% of EVR+Reduced TAC patients versus 7.0% of TAC Controls (p = 0.035). The change in adjusted estimated GFR from randomization to month 12 was superior with EVR+Reduced TAC versus TAC Control (difference 8.50 mL/min/1.73 m(2) , 97.5% CI 3.74, 13.27 mL/min/1.73 m(2) , p<0.001 for superiority). Drug discontinuation for adverse events occurred in 25.7% of EVR+Reduced TAC and 14.1% of TAC Controls (relative risk 1.82, 95% CI 1.25, 2.66). Relative risk of serious infections between the EVR+Reduced TAC group versus TAC Controls was 1.76 (95% CI 1.03, 3.00). Everolimus facilitates early tacrolimus minimization with comparable efficacy and superior renal function, compared to a standard tacrolimus exposure regimen 12 months after liver transplantation.