Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus compared with cyclosporin microemulsion in primary SPK transplantation: 3-year results of the Euro-SPK 001 trial

Saudek, F;Malaise, Jacques;Boucek, P;Adamec, M.
(2005) Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation — Vol. 20, p. 3-10 (2005)

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Authors
  • Saudek, F
    Author
  • Malaise, JacquesUCLouvain
    Author
  • Boucek, P
    Author
  • Adamec, M.
    Author
Abstract
Background. Single-centre and retrospective studies suggest superiority of tacrolimus over cyclosporin as cornerstone immunosuppressive therapy for simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation. This open-label, multicentre trial compared the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus with cyclosporin microemulsion (ME) in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing their first cadaveric SPK transplantation. The 3-year results are reported. Methods. Patients were recruited from 10 centres in Europe and one centre in Israel: 103 were randomized to receive tacrolimus (initial dose: 0.2 mg/kg/day p.o.) and 102 to cyclosporin-ME (7mg/kg/day p.o.). All patients received concomitant rabbit anti-T-cell globulin induction. mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and short-term corticosteroids. Results. Fewer patients receiving tacrolimus (36.9%) than cyclosporin-ME (57.8%) were discontinued from treatment (P=0.003). The initial episodes of biopsy-proven rejection were moderate or severe in just one out of 31 (3%) tacrolimus-treated patients compared with 11 out of 39 (28%) patients receiving cyclosporin-ME (P=0.009). While 3-year patient and kidney survival rates were similar in the two treatment groups, pancreas survival was superior with tacrolimus (89.2 vs 72.4%; P=0.002). Thrombosis resulted in pancreas graft loss in 10 patients receiving cyclosporin-ME and ill only two treated with tacrolimus (P = 0.02). Overall adverse event frequency was similar in both Groups, but MMF intolerance was more frequent with tacrolimus and hyperlipidaemia more frequent with cyclosporin-ME. Conclusions. In this 3-year study, tacrolimus was more effective than cyclosporin-ME in preventing moderate or severe kidney or pancreas rejection after SPK transplantation. It also provided superior pancreas survival and reduced the risk of pancreas graft thrombosis.
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Citations

Saudek, F., Malaise, J., Boucek, P., & Adamec, M. (2005). Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus compared with cyclosporin microemulsion in primary SPK transplantation: 3-year results of the Euro-SPK 001 trial. Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation, 20, 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfh1076 (Original work published 2005)