Effect of Long-term Tacrolimus Immunosuppression on Renal Function in Liver Transplant Recipients

Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver clinical practice guidelines on liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is a highly complex and challenging field of clinical practice. Although it was originally developed in western countries, it has been further advanced in Asian countries through the use of living donor liver transplantation. This method of transplantation is the only available option in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region due to the lack of deceased organ donation. As a result of this clinical situation, there is a growing need for guidelines that are specific to the Asia-Pacific region. These guidelines provide comprehensive recommendations for evidence-based management throughout the entire process of liver transplantation, covering both deceased and living donor liver transplantation. In addition, the development of these guidelines has been a collaborative effort between medical professionals from various countries in the region. This has allowed for the inclusion of diverse perspectives and experiences, leading to a more comprehensive and effective set of guidelines.

A report of a prospective randomized trial of extended-release tacrolimus versus immediate release tacrolimus after liver transplantation with anti-thymocyte induction in a steroid free protocol

PURPOSE

Our study hypothesis was that once daily dosing of extended-release tacrolimus (XRT) would be a safe and effective immunosuppression (IS) with the potential to decrease adverse events (AEs) associated with immediate release tacrolimus (IRT) after liver transplantation (LT).

METHODS

All patients receiving LT at our center received rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (RATG) induction therapy. Eligible patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive either XRT or IRT. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was the same between arms, and both groups received an antimetabolite for the first 6 months following LT. Patients were then followed at pre-determined study intervals for the following year after LT. We administered the RAND-36SF survey to assess patient's health-related quality of life at pre-determined intervals. All analysis was performed with an intention to treat basis.

RESULTS

We screened 194 consecutive patients and enrolled 110. Our control and study arms were well matched. Transplant characteristics were similar between groups. At all timepoints, both arms had similar serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), calculated by MDRD6 equation, with post-transplant GFRs between 60 and 70 mL/min/1.73 m2 . Tacrolimus trough levels were similar between arms. The XRT arm had fewer AEs (166) and fewer serious AEs (70) compared to IRT (201 and 99, respectively). AEs most commonly were renal, infectious, or gastrointestinal in nature. While not statistically significant, XRT was held temporarily (25 vs. 35 cases) or discontinued (3 vs. 11 cases) less frequently than IRT and had fewer instances of rejection (7 vs. 12 cases).

CONCLUSION

This analysis showed that XRT is safe and effective as de novo maintenance IS in a steroid-free protocol with RATG.

Comanagement With Nephrologist Care Is Associated With Fewer Cardiovascular Events Among Liver Transplant Recipients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with cardiovascular (CV) events, a leading complication in liver transplant recipients (LTRs). Timely subspecialty care is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with CKD. This study sought to assess associations between nephrology comanagement and CV events among LTRs at risk for or with CKD.

METHODS

LTRs with CKD plus those at risk were identified in an inception cohort at a single tertiary care network between 2010 and 2016, using electronic health record data and manual chart review. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or International Classification of Diseases 9th or 10th revision code for CKD and at-risk CKD as estimated glomerular filtration rate 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m2. Cox proportional hazard models assessed the association between nephrology comanagement and CV events among LTRs with or at risk for CKD.

RESULTS

Among 602 LTRs followed for up to 6 y posttransplant, prevalence of CKD plus those at risk increased yearly (71% in year 1, 86% in year 6) (P < 0.0001). Rates of nephrology comanagement decreased yearly posttransplant (35% in year 1, 28% in year 6). In multivariable models, nephrology comanagement was associated with lower CV events (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Among LTRs with CKD, nephrology comanagement may be associated with lower CV events. A prospective study is needed to identify the reasons for improved outcomes and barriers to nephrology referral.

Chronic Kidney Disease After Liver Transplantation: Impact of Extended Criteria Grafts

The use of extended criteria donor (ECD) grafts has been associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) after liver transplantation. However, the relation between graft quality and development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of ECD grafts for CKD after liver transplantation. All patients (2007-2015) transplanted for end-stage liver disease at our center were assessed. Longterm kidney function was divided into 4 groups: no CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], ≥60 mL/minute/1.73 m² ), mild CKD (eGFR, 30-59 mL/minute/1.73 m² ), severe CKD (eGFR, 15-29 mL/minute/1.73 m² ), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Marginal donation after brain death (DBD) grafts (donor age, >70 years; body mass index, >35 kg/m² ; cold storage, >12 hours) and donation after circulatory death (DCD) grafts were considered ECD grafts. Overall, 926 patients were included, and 43% received an ECD graft (15% marginal DBD; 28% DCD). After 5 years, 35% developed CKD; severe CKD and ESRD occurred in only 2% and 1%, respectively. CKD rates were comparable for all 3 graft groups (standard group, 36%; marginal DBD group, 29%; DCD group, 35%; standard versus marginal DBD groups, P = 0.16; standard versus DCD group, P = 0.80). None of the ECD criteria were identified as independent risk factors in a Cox regression model for CKD. Risk factors included recipient age, female sex, and preoperative kidney function. Furthermore, recipients who had severe acute kidney injury (AKI; Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stages 2 and 3) had a 1.8-fold increased risk for CKD. Longterm kidney function of recipients with severe AKI depended on the recovery of kidney function in the first postoperative week. In conclusion, there is no direct relation between the use of ECD grafts and CKD after liver transplantation. However, caution should be taken in recipients who experience severe AKI, regardless of graft type.

Effect of Hepatitis C Treatment on Renal Function in Liver Transplant Patients

Background and Aims: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is uniformly recurrent after liver transplant (LT) and recurrence is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Immunosuppressive medications increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, and the presence of chronic kidney disease presents a challenge for HCV treatment in LT recipients. The aim of this study was to assess changes in glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) of LT recipients receiving HCV treatment. Methods: This is a retrospective study of LT patients who received HCV treatment between 2015 and 2016 (n = 60). The outcomes of interest were differences in serum creatinine levels and in GFR, measured at treatment initiation and at 24 weeks after treatment. The average age of the patients was 59 years-old, and 17% were cirrhotic and 67% were treatment-experienced. All patients received sofosbuvir/ledipasvir without ribavirin. Results: All patients achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12). At baseline, 55% of patients had GFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m². Among those patients, GFR did not change in 18%, 33% had improved GFR, and 48% had worsened GFR. Up to 45% of the patients had a GFR >60 mL/min per 1.73 m². Among those patients, GFR did not change in 81%, and 19% had worsened GFR. In the entire cohort, 65% of patients had improved or stable GFR and 35% had worsened GFR. The average change in serum creatinine between baseline and 24 weeks was 0.10 (p = 0.18). Conclusions: This study showed improved or unchanged GFR in 65% and worsened GFR in 35% of LT recipients who achieved SVR12. Worsening of GFR was more frequently encountered in those with impaired renal function at baseline. Caution should be used when treating HCV in LT recipients, especially those with baseline status of renal impairment.

Long-term survival of a child with homozygous protein C deficiency successfully treated with living donor liver transplantation

Homozygous protein C deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder often presenting with purpura fulminans. Fresh frozen plasma and oral anticoagulation have been used in the treatment of this disease. Lately, protein C concentrate has become the treatment of choice. However, protein C concentrate is not yet widely available in many countries. We report a six-month-old girl with homozygous protein C deficiency who had suffered from frequent thrombotic episodes. She was successfully treated with living donor liver transplantation. Eight years after the transplantation, she remains symptom free. As described here, the liver transplantation offers an alternative curative treatment for children with homozygous protein C deficiency.