Randomized trial of tacrolimus in combination with sirolimus or mycophenolate mofetil in kidney transplantation: results at 6 months.

Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2003
Authors
Gonwa, Thomas; Mendez, Robert; Yang, Harold C; Weinstein, Samuel; Jensik, Stephen; Steinberg, Steven; Prograf Study Group
Secondary
Transplantation
Volume
75
Pagination
1213-20
Date Published
2003 Apr 27
Keywords
Acute Disease; Adult; Cardiovascular Diseases; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Graft Rejection; Graft Survival; Humans; Hyperlipidemias; hypertension; Immunosuppressive Agents; Incidence; Kidney; kidney transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Mycophenolic Acid; Risk Factors; sirolimus; Survival Analysis; Tacrolimus; Time Factors
Abstract

BACKGROUND: This is the first report of a randomized, multicenter, clinical trial comparing the combination of sirolimus or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression in kidney transplantation. Results at 6 months of follow-up are presented.

METHODS: Before transplantation, patients were randomized to receive tacrolimus plus corticosteroids with sirolimus (n=185) or MMF (n=176). The primary endpoint of the study was the incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection. Patient and graft survival, renal function, and composite endpoints also were evaluated. Safety was assessed by monitoring laboratory parameters and adverse events.

RESULTS: By 6 months of follow-up, the incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection was similar in both treatment groups (13.0% tacrolimus+sirolimus vs. 11.4% tacrolimus+MMF; P=0.64 log-rank). Patient survival (97.3% tacrolimus+sirolimus vs. 97.7% tacrolimus+MMF) and graft survival (93.0% tacrolimus+sirolimus vs. 95.5% tacrolimus+MMF) were equivalent (P=0.53, overall survival log-rank). There was a significantly higher incidence of study drug discontinuation in patients receiving sirolimus (21.1% vs. 10.8%; P=0.008). Renal function was significantly better in the MMF-treatment group (serum creatinine 1.44+/-0.45 mg/dL vs. 1.77+/-1.42 mg/dL; P=0.018). Hyperlipidemia was significantly more prevalent in the sirolimus-treatment group. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in sirolimus-treated patients. There were significantly more leukopenia and gastrointestinal adverse events in the MMF-treatment group. The incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus was 7.6% in the sirolimus group and 7.7% in the MMF group.

CONCLUSION: Tacrolimus is equally effective in renal transplantation when combined with sirolimus or MMF. The tacrolimus-MMF combination may be superior in terms of improved renal function and improved cardiovascular risk factors including hyperlipidemia and hypertension.