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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Wound Healing Complications and the Use of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors in Kidney Transplantation: A Critical Review of the Literature

Wound Healing Complications and the Use of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors in Kidney Transplantation: A Critical Review of the Literature

Surgical complications, including events such as lymphocele and urological complications that affect wound healing, are reported with an incidence of 15% to 32% after kidney transplantation. The experience of the surgeon and comorbidities play an important role in determining the risk of such complications occurring. Since the introduction of the inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitors (mycophenolate mofetil) to the immunosuppressive armamentarium, replacing the antimetabolite prodrug azathioprine, reports have associated certain forms of wound healing complications (wound dehiscence, impaired healing, lymphocele, and incisional hernia) with the use of these agents. When mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors (sirolimus, everolimus) became available, these findings were observed increasingly, particularly in direct comparisons with inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitors. The purpose of this article was to review the reported incidence of wound healing complications from randomized clinical trials that investigated the use of sirolimus- and everolimus-based treatment regimens in de novo kidney transplantation and the information available from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration database. The clinical trials included were primarily identified using biomedical literature database searches, with additional studies added at the authors’ discretion. This review summarizes these studies to consider whether modern mTOR inhibitor–based immunosuppressive regimens exert and affect wound healing after kidney transplantation.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Antithymocyte Globulin Induction in Living Donor Renal Transplant Recipients: Final Report of the TAILOR Registry

Antithymocyte Globulin Induction in Living Donor Renal Transplant Recipients: Final Report of the TAILOR Registry

Background: The Thymoglobulin Antibody Immunosuppression in Living Donor Recipients registry was established to assess clinical experience with rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG; Thymoglobulin) in living donor renal transplant recipients. Methods: From 2003 to 2008, US transplant centers prospectively entered information on patients who received rATG induction. In addition to standard United Network for Organ Sharing registry data elements, information was collected regarding immunosuppression, viral prophylaxis, acute rejection, and adverse events. Results: Data on 2322 patients from 49 transplant centers were enrolled and met inclusion criteria for analysis. Patient and graft survival were 99.3% and 99.0% at 6 months and 98.4% and 98.2% at 12 months as recorded in Thymoglobulin Antibody Immunosuppression in Living Donor Recipients registry and were 91.5% and 83.2% at 5 years by Kaplan-Meier estimates based on linked United Network for Organ Sharing registry records. Freedom from rejection was 93.6% through 5 years. Mean rATG cumulative dose was 5.29 mg/kg. More than one-third of patients (37.6%) were steroid-free at discharge, and nearly half of patients (48%) were steroid-free at 12 months. Before discharge, 3.2% experienced serious adverse events, with 11 events (0.005%) reported as possibly or probably related to rATG. Incidence of cytomegalovirus infection was 4.2% at 12 months, and 99.1% of patients were posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder–free through 5 years. Conclusions: rATG induction in living donor renal transplantation is safe and associated with a low incidence of acute rejection and posttransplantation complications.

Tacrolimus-Based, Steroid-Free Regimens in Renal Transplantation: 3-Year Follow-Up of the ATLAS Trial

Tacrolimus-Based, Steroid-Free Regimens in Renal Transplantation: 3-Year Follow-Up of the ATLAS Trial

Background: Long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with considerable morbidity, including cardiovascular and metabolic adverse effects. Methods: This study evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of two steroid-free regimens compared with a triple immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplant recipients. This was a 3-year follow-up to a 6-month, open-label, randomized, multicenter study. Results: Data from 3 years were available for 421 (93.3%) of 451 patients in the original intent-to-treat population (143 tacrolimus/basiliximab [Tac/Bas], 139 tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil [Tac/MMF], and 139 tacrolimus/MMF/steroids [triple therapy]). In the time interval from 6 months to 3 years after transplantation, the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection was low and similar (Tac/Bas, 2.1%; Tac/MMF, 2.2%; triple therapy, 2.2%); Most rejection episodes occurred during the first 6 months of the study. Graft survival was high (Kaplan-Meier estimates: 92.7%, 92.5%, and 92.5%), as was patient survival (93.1%, 96.4%, and 97.0%). There were 10 graft losses (n=2, 4, and 4) and 12 patient deaths (n=5, 2, and 5). Renal function was well preserved throughout the study and similar between groups. There was a trend toward improved cardiovascular risk factors in the Tac/Bas group, including reduced total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower new-onset insulin use. There were no between-group differences in the incidence or type of adverse events. Conclusion: Higher rates of acute rejection early in treatment were seen with the steroid-free regimens, but this did not translate into poorer long-term outcomes, such as graft and patient survival and renal function. A trend for a more favorable cardiovascular risk profile was observed for steroid-free immunosuppression with Tac/Bas.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

A Comprehensive Review of Everolimus Clinical Reports: A New Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitor

A Comprehensive Review of Everolimus Clinical Reports: A New Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitor

As new immunosuppressive agents are introduced to the market, clinicians are faced with the daunting task of sifting through the published literature to decide the value that the agent will add to their own practice. We often must extrapolate information provided through study in other solid-organ transplantation populations than our specific area of interest as we interpret the results and outcomes. With these challenges in mind, this compilation of published work for the newest mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus (Certican; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Hanover, NJ) (Zortress; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Basel, Switzerland) is intended to provide a concise but thorough presentation of available literature so that the reader who may be unfamiliar with the agent can make their own judgment. Both Ovid and PubMed search engines were queried with a particular focus on high-impact articles noted in the Web of Science or Citation Index. Work described solely in abstract or case report form was excluded, as well as meta-analyses or those that were editorial or commentary in nature. Included were publications presented using the English language that described adult human subjects who received a heart, lung, kidney, or liver allograft. The goal of this strategy was to allow for the inclusion of pertinent literature in an unbiased fashion. Tables are provided that outline trial specific information, leaving a discussion of major outcomes to the text of the review. (C) 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Renal grafts from anti-hepatitis B core-positive donors: a quantitative review of the literature

Renal grafts from anti-hepatitis B core-positive donors: a quantitative review of the literature


Organ shortage is a major problem in transplantation. The use of organs from hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)-positive donors could significantly increase the donor pool. However, little information is available about the impact of HBcAb status of renal donors on viral transmission to recipients. To address this issue, the present quantitative review of relevant studies has been performed.
Electronic databases including Medline, EMBASE, ISI, and Scopus were systematically searched for studies that evaluated risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission through renal transplantation from HBsAg-/HBcAb+ donors. Eligible studies were identified according to predefined criteria. The final outcome was one of HBV markers seroconversion defined as HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), or HBcAb detection in previously seronegative end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients after transplantation, and without other identified major sources of infection.
Nine studies with 1385 eligible kidney recipients were included. In total, 45 subjects showed seroconversion of HBV markers as follows: HBsAg (n = 4) (0.28%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.006; 0.57), HBcAb (n = 32), HBsAb (n = 5), and either HBcAb or HBsAb (n = 4). The total rate of seroconversion after renal transplantation was calculated to be 3.24% (95% CI: 2.31–4.18).
Our review indicates that the risk of HBV transmission from HBcAb-positive kidney donors is extremely low. Therefore, kidneys from these donors can be transplanted safely into ESRD patients.

Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase Polymorphisms and Renal Allograft Outcome

Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase Polymorphisms and Renal Allograft Outcome

Background: Interindividual variation in inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) enzyme activity and adverse effects caused by mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) inhibition may be genetically determined, and if so, transplant recipients should receive personalized dosing regimens of MMF, which would maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity. Some studies have demonstrated a relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphism and the risk of acute rejection with IMPDH I variants rs2278293 and rs2278294 and IMPDH II variant rs11706052, whereas others have failed to exhibit an effect. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of these polymorphisms on acute rejection rates, graft survival and function, and MMF doses in a large cohort of patients. Methods: A random sample of 1040 recipients from the Collaborative Transplant Study DNA bank was genotyped for the variants IMPDH I rs2278293 and rs2278294 and IMPDH II rs11706052. Results: The presence of the T (rs2278293) and G alleles (rs2278294) in the IMPDH I variants and carriage of the G allele (rs11706052) in the IMPDH II variant did not increase the risk of rejection or affect graft function by 1 year after transplantation. There was no association with MMF dose tolerated at 1 year. Furthermore, these polymorphisms did not impact graft or patient survival at 5 years. Conclusion: This study represents the largest cohort of patients with the longest follow-up to date and does not support previous evidence for an association between these IMPDH variants and renal allograft rejection and graft survival.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

De Novo Kidney Graft Tumors: Results From a Multicentric Retrospective National Study.

De Novo Kidney Graft Tumors: Results From a Multicentric Retrospective National Study.

De novo tumors in renal allografts are rare and their prevalence is underestimated. We therefore analyzed renal cell carcinomas arising in renal allografts through a retrospective French renal transplant cohort. We performed a retrospective, multicentric survey by sending questionnaires to all French kidney transplantation centers. All graft tumors diagnosed after transplantation were considered as de novo tumors. Thirty-two centers participated in this study. Seventy-nine tumors were identified among 41 806 recipients (Incidence 0.19%). Patients were 54 men and 25 women with a mean age of 47 years old at the time of diagnosis. Mean tumor size was 27.8 mm. Seventy-four (93.6%), 53 (67%) and 44 tumors (55.6%) were organ confined (T1-2), low grade (G1-2) and papillary carcinomas, respectively. Four patients died of renal cell carcinomas (5%). The mean time lapse between transplantation and RCC diagnosis was 131.7 months. Thirty-five patients underwent conservative surgery by partial nephrectomy (n = 35, 44.3%) or radiofrequency (n = 5; 6.3%). The estimated 5 years cancer specific survival rate was 94%. Most of these tumors were small and incidental. Most tumors were papillary carcinoma, low stage and low grade carcinomas. Conservative treatment has been preferred each time it was feasible in order to avoid a return to dialysis.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Effect of High-Dose Erythropoietin on Graft Function after Kidney Transplantation: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Effect of High-Dose Erythropoietin on Graft Function after Kidney Transplantation: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Background and objectives
Delayed graft function (DGF) is associated with adverse long-term outcomes after deceased-donor kidney (DDK) transplantation. Ischemia-reperfusion injury plays a crucial role in the development of DGF. On the basis of promising animal data, this study evaluated any potential benefits of erythropoietin-alfa (EPO-α) given intra-arterially at the time of reperfusion of renal allograft on the degree of allograft function, as well as tubular cell injury measured by urinary biomarkers in the early post-transplant period.
Design, setting, participants, & measurements
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of EPO-α administered intraoperatively on the outcomes of DDK transplantations performed at the study center between March 2007 and July 2009.
Results
Seventy-two patients were randomly assigned to EPO-α (n=36) or placebo (n=36). The incidences of DGF, slow graft function, and immediate graft function did not significantly differ between the treatment and control groups (41.7% versus 47.2%, 25.0% versus 36.1%, and 33.3% versus 16.7%, respectively; P=0.24). The groups had similar levels of urinary biomarkers, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and IL-18 at multiple times points soon after transplantation; urinary output during the first 3 postoperative days; 1-month renal function; and BP readings, hemoglobin, and adverse effects during the first month.
Conclusions
This study did not show any clinically demonstrable beneficial effects of high-dose EPO-α given intra-arterially during the early reperfusion phase in DDK transplant recipients in terms of reducing the incidence of DGF or improving short-term allograft function.

A 1-Year Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Intravenous Ibandronate on Bone Loss Following Renal Transplantation.

A 1-Year Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Intravenous Ibandronate on Bone Loss Following Renal Transplantation.

Eculizumab for Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Recurrence in Renal Transplantation

Eculizumab for Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Recurrence in Renal Transplantation

Eculizumab (anti-C5) has been sporadically reported as an efficient therapy for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). However, the lack of series precludes any firm conclusion about the optimal use of anti-C5 for preventing or treating aHUS posttransplant aHUS recurrence. We thoroughly studied 22 renal transplant recipients with aHUS who received off-label therapy with anti-C5, including 12 cases, which have not been reported yet. Nine patients, all carrying a complement genetic abnormality associated with a high risk of aHUS recurrence, received prophylactic anti-C5 therapy to prevent posttransplant recurrence. Eight of them had a successful recurrence-free posttransplant course and achieved a satisfactory graft function, while the remaining patient experienced early arterial thrombosis of the graft. Thirteen renal transplant recipients were given anti-C5 for posttransplant aHUS recurrence. A complete reversal of aHUS activity was obtained in all of them. Importantly, the delay of anti-C5 initiation after the onset of the aHUS episode inversely correlated with the degree of renal function improvement. Three patients in whom anti-C5 was subsequently stopped experienced a relapse. Altogether these data suggest that long-term eculizumab is highly effective for preventing and treating posttransplant aHUS recurrence. Our study also indicates that anti-C5 should be promptly started if a recurrence occurs.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Late Calcineurin Inhibitor Withdrawal Prevents Progressive Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Renal Transplant Recipients

Late Calcineurin Inhibitor Withdrawal Prevents Progressive Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background: Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based therapy is associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. We examined the effects of late CNI or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) withdrawal on echocardiographic parameters. Methods: This study was conducted as a substudy of a randomized trial in stable renal transplant recipients who were on a triple CNI-based regimen with prednisone and MMF that evaluated late concentration-controlled withdrawal of CNI or MMF on renal function. A total of 108 patients (age, 52.3+/-11.5 years; 67% male; at a median of 2.0 years post-transplantation, (interquartile range 1.3-3.3 years); estimated glomerular filtration rate, 57+/-16 mL/min/1.73 m2; 66% on cyclosporine and 34% on tacrolimus) entered the cardiovascular substudy examining echocardiographic parameters at baseline and 2 years after randomization. In all patients, traditional cardiovascular risk factors were treated according to predefined targets. Results: Late CNI withdrawal prevented progressive development of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, as assessed by markers of LV diastolic function (mitral deceleration time and mitral annular e' velocity). Conversely, in the MMF-withdrawal group, the left atrial volume index (an indicator of chronic LV diastolic dysfunction) was significantly increased at 2 years (from 24.1+/-6.7 to 27.0+/-7.0 mL/m2, P<0.05). In addition, CNI withdrawal resulted in a higher proportion of patients achieving the predefined blood pressure targets (<130/85 mm Hg: 41.5% vs. 12.7%, P=0.001) at 2 years while requiring less antihypertensive drugs. Changes in the left atrial volume index were significantly associated with treatment arm (P=0.03) and changes in systolic (P=0.005) and diastolic (P=0.005) blood pressure. Conclusions: Late CNI withdrawal, from a triple-drug regimen in stable renal transplant recipients, prevented progressive deterioration of LV diastolic function and facilitated better blood pressure control. (C) 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

A Prospective, Multinational Pharmacoepidemiological Study of Clinical Conversion to Sirolimus Immunosuppression after Renal Transplantation

A Prospective, Multinational Pharmacoepidemiological Study of Clinical Conversion to Sirolimus Immunosuppression after Renal Transplantation