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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Pregnancy Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Pregnancy Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: "
Approximately 50 000 women of reproductive age in the United States are currently living after kidney transplantation (KT), and another 2800 undergo KT each year. Although KT improves reproductive function in women with ESRD, studies of post-KT pregnancies are limited to a few voluntary registry analyses and numerous single-center reports. To obtain more generalizable inferences, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles published between 2000 and 2010 that reported pregnancy-related outcomes among KT recipients.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Lower Malignancy Rates in Renal Allograft Recipients Converted to Sirolimus-Based, Calcineurin Inhibitor-Free Immunotherapy: 24-Month Results From the CONVERT Trial

Lower Malignancy Rates in Renal Allograft Recipients Converted to Sirolimus-Based, Calcineurin Inhibitor-Free Immunotherapy: 24-Month Results From the CONVERT Trial: "Background. Long-term immunosuppression imposes increased malignancy risk in renal allograft recipients, significantly contributing to overall morbidity and mortality. This study examined malignancy rates in renal allograft recipients at 2 years after conversion to a sirolimus (SRL)-based, calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-free regimen.
Methods. This open-label, randomized, multicenter study (the CONVERT Trial) randomly assigned 830 patients to SRL conversion (n=555) or CNI continuation (n=275). Patients with history of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease or known/suspected malignancy within 5 years before screening were excluded. As part of standard safety measurements, subjects were monitored for any malignancy occurrence; both skin and nonskin malignancies were reported, even if the patient discontinued from the therapy. Malignancy rates were analyzed based on exposure time to study drugs (i.e., number of events per 100 person-years of follow-up).

Results of a Prospective Randomized Trial of Sirolimus Conversion in Kidney Transplant Recipients on Early Corticosteroid Withdrawal

Results of a Prospective Randomized Trial of Sirolimus Conversion in Kidney Transplant Recipients on Early Corticosteroid Withdrawal: "Background. The use of calcineurin inhibitors is associated with chronic nephrotoxicity and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). As a result, one strategy of transplant immunosuppression is calcineurin inhibitor elimination.
Methods. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of a prospective randomized trial of kidney transplant recipients receiving rapid corticosteroid withdrawal, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for 1 month followed by randomization to switch to sirolimus-MMF or to stay on tacrolimus-MMF. The primary outcome was the difference in measured GFR at 1 year using intention-to-treat analysis.

A Multicenter Experience With Generic Tacrolimus Conversion

A Multicenter Experience With Generic Tacrolimus Conversion: "Background. The first generic tacrolimus product gained Food and Drug Administration approval in August 2009. This prospective, observational trial sought to determine the need for dose titrations and measure drug cost savings on conversion to generic tacrolimus.
Methods. Transplant recipients on stable tacrolimus doses were converted from brand to generic tacrolimus on a mg:mg basis. Data were collected at the time of generic conversion (study arm) and at a time point exactly 6 months before conversion (control arm) for all subjects.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Conversion of Long-Term Kidney Transplant Recipients From Calcineurin Inhibitor Therapy to Everolimus: A Randomized, Multicenter, 24-Month Study

Conversion of Long-Term Kidney Transplant Recipients From Calcineurin Inhibitor Therapy to Everolimus: A Randomized, Multicenter, 24-Month Study: "Background. Benefits of conversion from calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor-based immunosuppression in long-term kidney transplant patients remain uncertain.
Methods. ASCERTAIN was a 24-month, open-label, multicenter study. Kidney transplant patients more than 6 months posttransplant receiving CNI (baseline glomerular filtration rate [GFR] 30-70 mL/min/1.73 m2) were randomized to everolimus with CNI elimination (n=127) or CNI minimization (n=144), or continued CNI unchanged (controls, n=123) to assess the effect on measured GFR at month 24 after randomization.

Improved Rejection Prophylaxis With an Initially Intensified Dosing Regimen of Enteric-Coated Mycophenolate Sodium in De Novo Renal Transplant Recipients

Improved Rejection Prophylaxis With an Initially Intensified Dosing Regimen of Enteric-Coated Mycophenolate Sodium in De Novo Renal Transplant Recipients: "Background. Approximately half of cyclosporine A-treated renal transplant recipients do not reach sufficient mycophenolic acid (MPA) exposure in the first weeks posttransplantation with standard MPA dosing regimens.

Incidence and Outcomes of Ganciclovir-Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infections in 1244 Kidney Transplant Recipients

Incidence and Outcomes of Ganciclovir-Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infections in 1244 Kidney Transplant Recipients: "Background. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in kidney transplant recipients are in most cases successfully treated with oral valganciclovir (VGCV). However, in a few percent of patients, mutations in the UL 97 or UL 54 gene lead to drug resistance.
Methods. We investigated the incidence and outcomes of ganciclovir-resistant CMV viremia in all 1244 kidney recipients transplanted at our center from 2004 through 2008. CMV DNAemia was monitored in all patients at least weekly, and patients who were positive were treated preemptively with VGCV (900 mg once daily).

Long-Term Outcome in Kidney Transplant Recipients Over 70 Years in the Eurotransplant Senior Kidney Transplant Program: A Single Center Experience

Long-Term Outcome in Kidney Transplant Recipients Over 70 Years in the Eurotransplant Senior Kidney Transplant Program: A Single Center Experience: "Background. Kidney transplantation in the elderly is complicated by comorbidities and a higher incidence of death. The Eurotransplant Senior Program (ESP) has been established to allocate kidneys from older donors to the increasing number of older recipients. In this retrospective, single center data analysis, we compare the outcome of recipients older than 70 years with younger recipients transplanted under the ESP protocol.

A Prospective Longitudinal Study Evaluating the Usefulness of a T-Cell-Based Assay for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients

A Prospective Longitudinal Study Evaluating the Usefulness of a T-Cell-Based Assay for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients: "
We evaluated whether ELISPOT assay can predict tuberculosis (TB) development in kidney-transplantation (KT) recipients with a negative tuberculin skin test (TST). All adult patients admitted to a KT institute between June 2008 and December 2009 were enrolled; TB development after KT was observed between June 2008 and December 2010. Isoniazid (INH) was given to those patients with positive TST or clinical risk factors for latent TB infection (LTBI). ELISPOT assay was performed on all patients, and TB development after KT was observed by a researcher blinded to the results of ELISPOT.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Efficacy and Safety of Conversion from Twice-daily to Once-daily Tacrolimus in a Large Cohort of Stable Kidney Transplant Recipients

Efficacy and Safety of Conversion from Twice-daily to Once-daily Tacrolimus in a Large Cohort of Stable Kidney Transplant Recipients: "
Prolonged-release tacrolimus was developed to provide a more convenient once-daily dosing that could improve patient adherence. We conducted a multicenter, prospective, observational, 12-month study to describe the efficacy, safety and patient preference of conversion from tacrolimus twice-daily to once-daily formulation in stable kidney transplant recipients in routine clinical practice. Conversion was made on a 1 mg: 1 mg basis (1 mg: 1.1 mg in patients with trough levels <6 ng/mL).

The ORION Study: Comparison of Two Sirolimus-Based Regimens versus Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil in Renal Allograft Recipients

The ORION Study: Comparison of Two Sirolimus-Based Regimens versus Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil in Renal Allograft Recipients: "
Safety and efficacy of two sirolimus (SRL)-based regimens were compared with tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Renal transplantation recipients were randomized to Group 1 (SRL+TAC; week 13 TAC elimination [n = 152]), Group 2 (SRL + MMF [n = 152]) or Group 3 (TAC + MMF [n = 139]). Group 2, with higher-than-expected biopsy-confirmed acute rejections (BCARs), was sponsor-terminated; therefore, Group 2 two-year data were limited. At 1 and 2 years, respectively, graft (Group 1: 92.8%, 88.5%; Group 2: 90.6%, 89.9%; Group 3: 96.2%, 95.4%) and patient (Group 1: 97.3%, 94.4%; Group 2: 95.2%, 94.5%; Group 3: 97.0%, 97.0%) survival rates were similar. One- and 2-year BCAR incidence was: Group 1, 15.2%, 17.4%; Group 2, 31.3%, 32.8%; Group 3, 8.2%, 12.3% (Group 2 vs. 3, p < 0.001). Mean 1- and 2-year modified intent-to-treat glomerular filtration rates (mL/min) were similar. Primary reason for discontinuation was adverse events (Group 1, 34.2%; Group 2, 33.6%; Group 3, 22.3%; p < 0.05). In Groups 1 and 2, delayed wound healing and hyperlipidemia were more frequent. One-year post hoc analysis of new-onset diabetes posttransplantation was greater in TAC recipients (Groups 1 and 3 vs. 2, 17% vs. 6%; p = 0.004). Between-group malignancy rates were similar. The SRL-based regimens were not associated with improved outcomes for kidney transplantation patients.
"

Interstitial Fibrosis Evolution on Early Sequential Screening Renal Allograft Biopsies Using Quantitative Image Analysis.

Interstitial Fibrosis Evolution on Early Sequential Screening Renal Allograft Biopsies Using Quantitative Image Analysis.: "Servais A, Meas-Yedid V, Noël LH, et al.
Interstitial Fibrosis Evolution on Early Sequential Screening Renal Allograft Biopsies Using Quantitative Image Analysis. [JOURNAL ARTICLE]
Am J Transplant 2011 Jun 14.
Abstract | Full Citation | Publisher Full Text | Find Related Articles "

The Impact of Conversion From Prograf to Generic Tacrolimus in Liver and Kidney Transplant Recipients With Stable Graft Function.

The Impact of Conversion From Prograf to Generic Tacrolimus in Liver and Kidney Transplant Recipients With Stable Graft Function.: "Momper JD, Ridenour TA, Schonder KS, et al.
The Impact of Conversion From Prograf to Generic Tacrolimus in Liver and Kidney Transplant Recipients With Stable Graft Function. [JOURNAL ARTICLE]
Am J Transplant 2011 Jun 30.
Abstract | Full Citation | Publisher Full Text | Find Related Articles "

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Posttransplant sCD30 as a Predictor of Kidney Graft Outcome

Posttransplant sCD30 as a Predictor of Kidney Graft Outcome: "Background. Reliable markers for assessing the biological effect of immunosuppressive drugs and identification of transplant recipients at risk of developing rejection are not available.
Methods. In a prospective multicenter study, we investigated whether posttransplant measurement of the T-cell activation marker soluble CD30 (sCD30) can be used for estimating the risk of graft loss in kidney transplant recipients. Pre- and posttransplant sera of 2322 adult deceased-donor kidney recipients were tested for serum sCD30 content using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Associations of Renal Function at 1-Year After Kidney Transplantation With Subsequent Return to Dialysis, Mortality, and Healthcare Costs

Associations of Renal Function at 1-Year After Kidney Transplantation With Subsequent Return to Dialysis, Mortality, and Healthcare Costs: "Background. Improved early kidney transplant outcomes limit the contemporary utility of standard clinical endpoints. Quantifying the relationship of renal function at 1 year after transplant with subsequent clinical outcomes and healthcare costs may facilitate cost-benefit evaluations among transplant recipients.
Methods. Data for Medicare-insured kidney-only transplant recipients (1995–2003) were drawn from the United States Renal Data System. Associations of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level at the first transplant anniversary with subsequent death-censored graft failure and patient death in posttransplant years 1 to 3 and 4 to 7 were examined by parametric survival analysis. Associations of eGFR with total health care costs defined by Medicare payments were assessed with multivariate linear regression.