A multicenter pilot study of early (4-day) steroid cessation in renal transplant recipients under simulect, tacrolimus and sirolimus

E. Steve Woodle, Flavio Vincenti, Marc I. Lorber, H. Albin Gritsch, Donald Hricik, Kenneth Washburn, Arthur J. Matas, Michael Gallichio, John Neylan

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76 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study presents the first prospective multicenter study assessing sirolimus-based immunosuppression with early (4-day) corticosteroid withdrawal (CSWD) in renal transplantation. Immunosuppression included: anti-IL-2 receptor antibody and tacrolimus/sirolimus. Inclusion criteria included adult primary recipients. Exclusion criteria included: (i) African Americans, (ii) current PRA >50%, (iii) multiple organ transplants, (iv) WBC < 3000 cells/μL and (v) fasting hypercholesterolemia/hypertriglyceridemia. The primary endpoints were acute rejection and the proportion of patients off corticosteroids. Seventy-seven patients were enrolled: mean age of 49.7 ± 12 years. Transplants included: cadaveric (26%) and living donor (74%). Patient and graft survival were 100%. Biopsy proven acute rejection occurred in 13%; presumptive rejection in 10.5%. Banff grades included: IA (seven patients), IB (one patient), IIA (one patient) and IIB (one patient). Renal function at 1 year: serum creatinine (1.18 ± 0.06 mg/dL). Mean weight gain was minimal at 1 year: 3 ± 2 kg/patient. Mild increases in total, LDL and HDL cholesterol were observed and new antilipid agent use occurred in 26 patients. In conclusion, early CSWD under tacrolimus/sirolimus-based immunosuppression in selected, low-risk renal transplant recipients provides: (i) excellent patient and graft survival, (ii) good renal function, (iii) reduced hyperlipidemia and antilipid agent use and (iv) low acute rejection rates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)157-166
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2005

Keywords

  • Corticosteroid withdrawal
  • Kidney transplant
  • Sirolimus
  • Steroids

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