To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Sirolimus Increases Graft Survival in Orthotopic Liver Transplant Recipients: Presented at ATC URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/223242.htm Doctor's Guide June 6, 2008
By Thomas S. May TORONTO -- June 6, 2008 -- Although sirolimus has no impact on patient survival, it significantly increases graft survival in recipients of orthotopic liver transplants (OLT) when used as the initial immunosuppressant, according to an analysis of 10 years of experience at one institution. The research was presented during a poster session here on June 2 at the 2008 American Transplant Congress (ATC). According to researcher Goran B. Klintmalm, MD, PhD, Baylor Regional Transplant Institute, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and colleagues, this was the largest experience to date of patients treated with sirolimus as the initial immunosuppressant in OLT. The investigators reviewed data from all 1,554 OLT recipients treated at the Institute between 1998 and 2007. Patients with sirolimus as initial immunosuppression were identified, and the remaining OLT patients from that time period were used as controls to compare outcomes, complications, and adverse effects. Sirolimus was the initial immunosuppressant in 14.9% of 1,554 OLT patients. Analysis of the results showed that, although sirolimus had no impact on patient survival, it significantly increased graft survival, despite a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus in the sirolimus group. Based on their findings, the investigators concluded that, despite the sirolimus-associated cytopenia and hypercholesterolaemia, the adverse effect profile is similar to nonsirolimus-containing regimens. They concluded that "sirolimus can be used safely as initial immunosuppression in OLT patients with good outcome." "Sirolimus has a 'black box warning' against its use in liver transplantation, but this was due to what I consider flawed data at the registration trial," said Dr. Klintmalm. "We've found the drug to be safe for primary clinical use," Dr. Klintmalm stressed. "In fact, graft survival was statistically better in these patients," he added. Additionally, cytomegalovirus infection, a postoperative complication of liver transplantation, was significantly less common with sirolimus, and neurotoxicity, which plagues many patients on tacrolimus, was statistically less common, Dr. Klintmalm noted. He noted that the drug is a "realistic safe alternative" for patients who do not tolerate tacrolimus or cyclosporine, and it may be preferable in certain patient populations. [Presentation title: Outcomes Using Sirolimus as Initial Immunosuppression for Liver Transplants: A 10-Year Experience. Abstract 1365] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.