Usefulness of tacrolimus without basiliximab in well-matched living-donor renal transplant recipients in Korea

• Published in: Experimental and clinical transplantation 2016-08, Vol.14 (4), p.389-393
• Main Authors: Baek,Chung Hee, Kim,Ji Hyun, Yu,Hoon, Shin,Eunhye, Cho,Hyungjin, Kim,Hyosang, Yang,Won Seok, Han,Duck Jong, Park,Su Kil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Tıp
• ISSN: 1304-0855; 2146-8427
• DOI: 10.6002/ect.2015.0271

Objectives: Basiliximab is used alongside tacrolimus- based immunosuppression for routine induction therapy, even for well-matched living-donor renal transplant recipients. Because tacrolimus is a different drug from cyclosporine, this study examined the utility of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression without basiliximab for well-matched living-donor renal transplant recipients. Material and Methods: This prospective study evaluated 36 patients who underwent 1 to 3 human leukocyte antigens mismatched living-donor renal transplants without basiliximab induction therapy between April 2012 and March 2015 (group 1). All transplants were ABO compatible and T-flow negative and were followed until April 2015. Tacrolimus-based triple therapy was used for maintenance immunosuppression. The control group comprised 72 age- and sex-matched patients who underwent 1 to 3 human leukocyte antigens mismatched living-donor renal transplants with basiliximab induction therapy during the same period (group 2). Results: Two patients in group 1 and 12 patients in group 2 had infection,with cytomegalovirus infection and Pneumocystis pneumonia infection occurring only in group 2 and BK virus and urinary tract infection reported in both groups, with a similar incidence. One patient from group 2 had sepsis. Although the incidence of infection tended to be lower in group 1 than in group 2 (5.6% vs 16.7%), the overall incidence of infection was not significantly different (P = .135). In addition, there were no significant differences in incidence of acute rejection between groups 1 and 2 (2.8% vs 4.2%; P = .699). All patients showed stable renal function after treatment. Conclusions: Tacrolimus-based triple drug maintenance immunosuppression without basiliximab might be an optimal treatment choice for individuals undergoing well-matched living-donor renal transplant.