Conversion from Calcineurin Inhibitors to Sirolimus Maintenance Therapy in Renal Allograft Recipients with Risk Factors

Background: The efficacy and safety of conversion treatment with sirolimus in renal transplant recipients using the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) with one or more risk factors was evaluated. Methods: Ninety-three renal transplant recipients were prospectively enrolled. CNIs(CsA and FK506) as main immunosuppressant were converted to SRL immunosuppressant protocol. Rapid conversion with sirolimus was performed in all patients. The CNI withdrawal was in 2 weeks. At 4 hours after oral administration of cyclosporin A or tacrolimus, the patients took sirolimus. Initial dose of sirolimus was 6 mg, and repeated maintenance dose is 1.0 2.0 mg/d. The first concentration of sirolimus was detected at 5 7 days after first oral administration, and the target concentration was 6 10 μg/L. Results: The symptoms were markedly improved in patients with CNI induced renal toxicity and CNI induced liver toxicity, and the concentration of sirolimus were maintained at (5.1 ± 1.2) μg/L. Serum creatinine levels decreased from (297.72 ± 150.28) μmol/L to (123.76 ± 44.2) μmol/L, and the liver function were recovery in 24 (92.3%) patients. 9 patients with high glucose returned to normal, and 2 patients were improved. Serum creatinine levels decreased more than 25% of primary level in 17 patients, and the effective rate was 51.5%. 10 patients with tumor were appeared 6 43 months after renal transplantation, no recurrence was found in 8 of them and 2 patients were dead. Acute rejections were occurred in 3 patients at 6 months after conversion treatment. The complications were included hyperlipidemia and proteinuria. 3 patients were dead, 6 patients returned to dialysis treatment, and 2 patients were removal of grafts. At 3 years after conversion treatment, the survival rates of patients and grafts were 90.9% and 75.8%, respectively. Conclusion: The conversion treatment with SRL and MMF may be a better option for the renal transplant recipients using the CNI with risk factors appeared.