To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Sodium Mycophenolate, Basiliximab, CsA, and Low-Dose Steroids Improves Renal Function in Elderly Recipients: Presented at TTS URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/228376.htm Doctor's Guide August 12, 2008
By Rachel Parratt SYDNEY, Australia -- August 12, 2008 -- Sodium mycophenolate (MPS) in combination with basiliximab, cyclosporine (CsA), and chronic low-dose steroids is highly effective in preventing biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) in high-risk elderly kidney graft recipients. Professor Maurizio Salvadori, Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Department, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy, presented the findings of the Myosotys Study Group here on August 11 at the 22nd International Congress of the Transplantation Society (TTS). A total of 117 transplant recipients (aged >55 years) were enrolled in the 12-month, open-label study. Patients were randomised to receive reduced-dose CsA 900 ng/mL (then 800 ng/mL) plus enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) (group 1) or standard-dose CsA 1,500 ng/mL (tapered to CsA 1,000 ng/mL by month 6, and 800 ng/mL thereafter) plus EC-MPS (group 2). Both groups received EC-MPS 2,160 mg QD for 5 days (then EC-MPS 1,440 mg QD); basiliximab 20 mg on days 0 and 4; and short-term steroids, which were stopped by day 8. After enrolment of about 50 patients, an increased incidence of early BPAR was evident and protocol was amended to allow continued low-dose steroids. The initial EC-MPS dose was also reduced to 1,440 mg QD to avoid overimmunosuppression. Creatinine clearance 6 months after transplantation was more favourable in group 1 (49.8 mL/min) compared with group 2 (45.6 mL/min). The +4.2 mL/min difference was not significant. However, the combination of MPS, basiliximab, and reduced-dose CsA together with chronic low-dose steroids resulted in a low rate of BPAR in elderly kidney graft recipients who received kidneys from elderly donors. The rate of BPAR between 0 to 3 months in patients on continuous low-dose steroids was 6.2% versus 22.6% in patients who underwent early steroid withdrawal. Although early steroid withdrawal increased the risk of BPAR, rejections were generally mild and easily reversible with steroid boluses. Overall, treatment with MPS and reduced-dose CsA was well tolerated, and there were no deaths due to infection. Graft and patient survival compared well with previous observations in this patient population. [Presentation title: Randomized Trial of Sodium Mycophenolate and Basiliximab in Combination With Reduced or Standard Cyclosporine Exposure in Old Recipients of Kidney Transplant From Deceased Donors. Abstract 108] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.