Efficacy and Safety of Monotherapy With Mycophenolate Mofetil in Liver Transplantation Patients With Nephrotoxicity

Indications and Long-Term Outcomes of Using Mycophenolate Mofetil Monotherapy in Substitution for Calcineurin Inhibitors in Liver Transplantation

Switching the use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), as basal immunosuppression in liver transplantation (LT) patients, for that of mycophenolate mofetil monotherapy (MMF-MT) is currently considered a good measure in recipients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other CNI-related adverse effects. We analyzed a retrospective cohort series of 324 LT patients who underwent long-term follow-up and were switched from CNI immunosuppression to MMF-MT due to CKD and other CNI-related adverse effects (diabetes, hypertension, infection). The median time on MMF-MT was 78 months. The indication for MMF-MT was CKD alone or associated with CNI-related adverse effects in 215 patients, diabetes in 61, hypertension in 42, and recurrent cholangitis in 6. Twenty-four (7.4%) patients developed non-resistant acute rejection post-MMF-MT, and 48 (14.8%) patients experienced MMF-related adverse effects, with MMF-MT withdrawn in only 8 (2.5%) patients. In the comparison between the pre-MMF-MT period and the last outpatient review, using a repeated measures model and taking each patient as its own comparator, we demonstrated a significant increase in GFR and significant decrease in creatinine and ALT values, remaining the other variables (diabetes, hypertension, and hematological and AST) within similar levels. Five-year survival post-MMF-MT conversion was 75.3%. MMF-MT significantly improved renal function, was well tolerated, and had a low rejection rate.

Everolimus versus mycophenolate mofetil in liver transplantation: every improvement in renal function matters

The current edition of the journal features a Spanish, nationwide, multi-institutional study by Gomez Bravo MA et al. exploring the advantages of everolimus (EVR)-facilitated tacrolimus (TAC) minimization versus TAC in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) after liver transplantation (LT).

Long-Term Outcomes of Liver Transplantation in Patients With Pretransplant Renal Dysfunction Treated With Induction Therapy and Delayed Reduced De Novo Once-Daily Tacrolimus

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Renal dysfunction is related to short- and long-term survival after liver transplantation. We present herein a retrospective analysis of our experience with liver transplantation in recipients with pretransplant renal dysfunction treated with induction therapy followed by delayed/reduced de novo once-daily tacrolimus.

METHODS

Liver transplantations performed between April 2008 and August 2011 were included in this study. Pretransplant renal dysfunction was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min. Interleukin-2 receptor antagonists were used for induction therapy. Initial once-daily tacrolimus dose was 0.10 mg/kg/day or 0.07 mg/kg/day if combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Tacrolimus target trough levels were 4 to 6 ng/mL during the first post-transplant year and <4 ng/mL the rest of the follow-up.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients comprised the study cohort with a median follow-up of 56.4 months (range, 11-78). Median day of tacrolimus introduction was 7 (range, 3-12). Once-daily tacrolimus was withdrawn in 6 patients (31.6%) due to evolution of renal dysfunction in all cases. At 5 years, 30% of the patients were under MMF monotherapy. Mean tacrolimus trough levels were maintained under 5 ng/mL. Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate at 5 years was 55.3 ± 12.7 mL/min. No patient needed hemodialysis or renal transplantation over the follow-up. Patient survival at 5 years was 78.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Induction therapy followed by delayed/reduced de novo once-daily tacrolimus and maintenance of low tacrolimus exposition during the follow-up is effective to maintain long-term renal function and to achieve favorable patient survival in liver transplant recipients with pretransplant renal dysfunction.