Mycophenolate mofetil monotherapy in liver transplant recipients

Michael Kriss, Eva U. Sotil, Michael Abecassis, Mary Welti, Josh Levitsky*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Complete conversion of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) immunosuppressant therapy to non-nephrotoxic agents such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is controversial, but may be safe in selected patients, although appropriate protocols and long-term benefits of conversion are not well reported. Methods: We analyzed all liver transplant (LT) recipients at our institution who were converted from CNI-based therapy to MMF monotherapy because of renal dysfunction (n=23) and compared them with patients remaining on CNI-based therapy (n=23). Renal function, rejection episodes, and markers of CNI-related comorbidities (lipid profile, blood pressure, and glycosylated hemoglobin) were noted. Results: Overall, serum creatinine (SCr) and calculated glomerular filtration rate improved on MMF monotherapy. This improvement was significant when compared with patients who remained on CNI-based therapy. Improvement was most pronounced in patients with milder renal dysfunction (SCr <2.2mg/dL prior to conversion) (n=14) with decrease in SCr from 1.63±0.29 to 1.34±0.26mg/dL (p=0.02) at last follow-up. Five patients on MMF monotherapy (21.7%) progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), while only two (8.7%) had rejection episodes following conversion. Clinical markers of CNI-related comorbidities also improved. MMF monotherapy was well tolerated. Conclusion: In summary, our data support the safety and efficacy of CNI to MMF monotherapy conversion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E639-E646
JournalClinical Transplantation
Volume25
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2011

Keywords

  • Calcineurin inhibitors
  • Conversion
  • Nephropathy
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Rejection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Transplantation

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