Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-5-27
pubmed:abstractText
Steroid-induced adverse effects after transplantation include cosmetic, metabolic, and cardiovascular complications. Steroid withdrawal or avoidance with cyclosporine-based regimens have been hampered by an unacceptably high rate of acute rejections and increased rates of graft loss. Recently the results of several large, randomized trials of steroid withdrawal/avoidance with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression in renal transplant recipients became available. A review of these trials appeared to be of clinical interest. Data from the THOMAS trial clearly indicate that steroid withdrawal from a regimen of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), steroids after 3 months after transplantation is safe with regard to acute rejection rate and graft survival. If an induction therapy with daclizumab is used in combination with tacrolimus and MMF (CARMEN trial), even steroid avoidance is safe with regard to acute rejection rate and graft survival. Finally, in the ATLAS trial, steroid avoidance with basiliximab in combination with tacrolimus (resulting in tacrolimus monotherapy) or alternatively with tacrolimus and MMF both resulted in similar graft survival, but higher rates of acute rejection. In conclusion, steroid withdrawal is safe from a triple-drug regimen of tacrolimus, MMF, and steroids after 3 months after transplantation, and steroid use may completely be avoided with tacrolimus, and MMF combined with daclizumab induction. Tacrolimus monotherapy may be achieved using basiliximab induction at the price of higher rates of acute rejection, but with unaffected graft survival. Thus tacrolimus-based immunosuppression with or without interleukin-2 receptor antagonist induction has made steroid withdrawal or avoidance a realistic option in renal transplantation.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0041-1345
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
37
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1789-91
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
Steroid withdrawal or steroid avoidance in renal transplant recipients: focus on tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens.
pubmed:affiliation
Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II-Nephrologie, University of Regensburg, Germany. bernhard.kraemer@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study