Randomized trial of tacrolimus (Prograf) in combination with azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclosporine (Neoral) with mycophenolate mofetil after cadaveric kidney transplantation.
2000 Mar 15
Journal Article
Authors:
Johnson, C.;
Ahsan, N.;
Gonwa, T.;
Halloran, P.;
Stegall, M.;
Hardy, M.;
Metzger, R.;
Shield, C.;
Rocher, L.;
Scandling, J.;
Sorensen, J.;
Mulloy, L.;
Light, J.;
Corwin, C.;
Danovitch, G.;
Wachs, M.;
Van Veldhuisen, P.;
Salm, K.;
Tolzman, D.;
Fitzsimmons, W.E.
Secondary:
Transplantation
Volume:
69
Pagination:
834-41
Issue:
5
PMID:
10755536
DOI:
10.1097/00007890-200003150-00028
Keywords:
Adult; Azathioprine; Cadaver; Cyclosporine; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Graft Survival; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; kidney transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Mycophenolic Acid; Postoperative Care; Prospective Studies; Tacrolimus
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Our clinical trial was designed to investigate the optimal combination of immunosuppressants for renal transplantation.METHODS: A randomized three-arm, parallel group, open label, prospective study was performed at 15 North American centers to compare three immunosuppressive regimens: tacrolimus + azathioprine (AZA) versus cyclosporine (Neoral) + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) versus tacrolimus + MMF. All patients were first cadaveric kidney transplants receiving the same maintenance corticosteroid regimen. Only patients with delayed graft function (32%) received antilymphocyte induction. A total of 223 patients were randomized, transplanted, and followed for 1 year.RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline demography between the three treatment groups. At 1 year the results are as follows: acute rejection 17% (95% confidence interval 9%, 26%) in tacrolimus + AZA; 20% (confidence interval 11%, 29%) in cyclosporine + MMF; and 15% (confidence interval 7%, 24%) in tacrolimus + MMF. The incidence of steroid resistant rejection requiring antilymphocyte therapy was 12% in the tacrolimus + AZA group, 11% in the cyclosporine + MMF group, and 4% in the tacrolimus + MMF group. There were no significant differences in overall patient or graft survival. Tacrolimus-treated patients had a lower incidence of hyperlipidemia through 6 months posttransplant. The incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus requiring insulin was 14% in the tacrolimus + AZA group, 7% in the cyclosporine + MMF and 7% in the tacrolimus + MMF groups.CONCLUSIONS: All regimens yielded similar acute rejection rates and graft survival, but the tacrolimus + MMF regimen was associated with the lowest rate of steroid resistant rejection requiring antilymphocyte therapy.
