Organ Transplantation Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Organ Transplantation, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery.

Graft function, cardiovascular risk factors, and sex hormones in renal transplant recipients on an immunosuppressive regimen of everolimus, reduced dose of cyclosporine, and basiliximab.

Krämer BK, Neumayer HH, Stahl R, Pietrzyk M, Krüger B, Pfalzer B, Bourbigot B, Campbell S, Whelchel J, Eris J, Vitko S, Budde K,

Transplant Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. bernhard.kraemer@klinik.uni-regensburg.de

A prospective, randomized trial evaluated the combination of everolimus of 1.5 or 3 mg/d with steroids, basiliximab, and low-dose cyclosporine (CsA) adjusted by C2 monitoring in 256 renal transplant recipients. CsA C2 target levels, initially set at 600 ng/mL, were tapered over time posttransplant. The median serum creatinine concentrations were 130 mumol/L in both sirolimus groups (1.5 and 3 mg/d) at 6 months. Biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) occurred in 13.7% and 15.1% of patients in the 1.5 and 3 mg/d groups, respectively. The incidence of BPAR was significantly higher among patients with everolimus trough levels < 3 ng/mL. Posttransplant diabetes mellitus occurred rarely, and blood pressure control appeared favorable; however, serum cholesterol levels were increased by approximately 50%, and serum triglycerides by approximately 100%. Serum testosterone concentrations increased after renal transplantation in both everolimus groups. Concentration-controlled everolimus therapy combined with low-dose CsA provides effective protection against rejection with good renal function and safety profiles.

Published 3 May 2005 in Transplant Proc, 37(3): 1601-4.
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