Two-year follow-up study of the efficacy and safety of FK 506 in kidney transplant patients

Abstract We conducted a 2-year follow-up study of the efficacy and safety of FK 506 in 104 kidney transplant patients at 32 sites in Japan. The initial daily oral dose of FK 506 was 0.3 mg/kg, which was gradually reduced to 0.15 mg/kg by month 10 and remained stable thereafter. The mean trough level of FK 506 in whole blood and the mean serum creatinine level in year 2 were 7.9 ng/ml and 1.9 mg/dl, respectively. Patient and graft survival rates for all patients were 97% and 92%, respectively. Forty-ix patients (44%) experienced rejection episodes, and 84% of these episodes occurred within 3 months after transplantation. The principal adverse reactions to FK 506 therapy were hyperglycaemia, renal dysfunction and hyperkalaemia. Most of these events were dose-dependent, and disappeared or ameliorated following reduction of the FK 506 dose.     

Japanese study of kidney transplantation: 1. Results of early phase II study

For a 4-month period from July to October 1990, 37 primary renal transplant patients were enrolled in the early phase II study of FK506. An i. v. dose of FK 506 0.075 mg/kg twice a day was administered initially, and then in oral dose of 0.15 mg/kg twice a day followed. Prednisolone was started at 1 mg/kg daily as an additioned drug. Some 32 live related donors with one-mismatched haplotype of HLA and 5 cadaveric donors underwent transplantation. All patients are alive, and all kidney allografts are functioning. A correlation between the trough level of FK 506 in whole blood and acute rejection or adverse events was retrospectively investigated. There was a significant correlation between the trough level in whole blood and acute rejection or renal impairment. In conclusion, the therapeutic dose of FK 506 should be adjusted by monitoring the trough level in whole blood, the range of which might be recommended to be 15–20 ng/ml during the early phase after transplantation.     

普乐可复在肾移植中的临床应用

目的 研究普乐可复（ＦＫ５０６）对肾移植患者免疫抑制的疗效与安全性。方法 肾移植术后应用ＦＫ５０６免疫抑制治疗８２例,分为临床验证组４２例和切换治疗组４０例。结果 临床验证组有４０例（９５．２％）肾功能在１４ｄ内恢复正常,１例（２．４％）发生急性排斥反应,经治疗逆转。切换治疗组有２４例肝功能正常;３例移植肾发生急性肾小管坏死（ＡＴＮ）伴急性排斥反应,６例发生慢性排斥反应,４例发生难治性排斥反应,均     

肝移植病人FK506血药浓度与肾功能检测指标相关关系探讨

目的 探讨他克莫司(FK506)血药浓度与尿微量蛋白、血肌酐、血尿素氮等肾功能检测指标之间的相关关系。选择灵敏、准确、及时地反映肾功能损伤的检测指标。方法 ELISA检测FK506血药浓度；速率散射比浊法检测尿微量蛋白；酶法检测血尿素氮，碱性苦味酸法检测血肌酐，动态观察各项检测指标与不同血药浓度的关系。结果 尿微量蛋白、血肌酐、血尿素氮含量与FK506血药浓度呈直线正相关关系。尿α1微球蛋白(A1M)及微量白蛋白(MA)含量与血药浓度呈高度正相关，血肌酐、血尿素氮含量与血药浓度相关程度较低。结论 检测尿A1M及MA含量是监测FK506对肾脏损伤的最为灵敏可靠的指标。     

Low-dose tacrolimus (FK506)-based immunosuppressive protocol in living donor renal transplantation

Abstract In order to avoid the side effects of tacrolimus (FK506), a low-dose FK506-based regimen was started from 1 June 1991. The dose was adjusted to maintain the FK506 whole blood trough level at 15–20 ng/ml for 7 days postoperatively, at 10–15 ng/ml for 2 months, and under 10 ng/ml thereafter. The graft survival rates at 3 years and 5 years were 87.8 and 82.3 % (FK506) vs 86.8 and 86.8% [cy-closporine (CyA)]. The incidence of acute rejection within the first 90 days was 31.6% in the FK506 group which was lower than the 57.1% of the CyA group ( P - 0.0585). Grades of acute rejection episodes over IIA in the FK506 group were 20 %, which was lower than the 37 % in the CyA group. The mean oral dosages of FK506 were 0.061 and 0.04 mg/kg per day at 3 and 5 years, respectively. The incidence of new onset diabetes was 27.8% in the FK506 group and 17.1 % in the CyA group. However, insulin therapy was withdrawn in all patients of the FK506 group within 5 months. The percentage of patients who required an antihypertensive agent was 28.6 % and 40 % in the FK506 group and 73.2% and 88 % in the CyA group at 1 and 3 years, respectively ( P < 0.05). Nephrotoxicity was seen in 20% of the FK506 group and 14.3 % of the CyA group. Hypercholesterolemia was less frequent in the FK506 group than the CyA group. The FK506-based regimen described here is a protocol with the potential to reduce its adverse effects. The whole blood concentration of FK506 should be monitored and blood levels maintained in the range of 5–10 ng/ml after 90 postoperative days for optimal efficacy and minimal toxicity.     

Long-term use of FK 506 in living related liver transplantation

Abstract FK 506 (Tacrolimus) was used with steroids to treat 61 pediatric patients who received living related partial liver transplantation. Fifty-two recipients survived and 9 died between 6 months and 3 years after transplantation. In the surviving patients, oral doses of Tacrolimus were tapered from 0.298 ± 0.277 mg/kg daily at 1 month after transplantation to 0.078 ± 0.054 at 24 months after transplantation. The 12 h trough levels of Tacrolimus were 12.6 ± 7.1 ng/ml and 4.1 ± 2.4 at 1 and 24 months after transplantation, respectively. The percentage of recipients free from steroids was 77%, 97%, and 94% at 6, 12, and 24 months after transplantation, respectively. Liver allograft rejection was encountered in seven recipients, five of whom were treated by steroid pulse therapy and a dose increase of Tacrolimus; the remaining two required OKT3. However, there was no episode of rejection that required retransplantation. Infectious complications encountered in 34 patients included 12 bacterial, 3 fungal, and 19 viral infections. Two recipients died one of fungal pneumonia and one of Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorder. Regarding adverse reactions of Tacrolimus, hypertension was observed in 28 patients, diabetes mellitus in 3, pancreatitis in 3, convulsion in 1, tremor in 12, itching in 5, and pigmentation in the oral mucosa in 2. Slightly increased values of creatinine were observed in most of the patients; however, an abnormal increase of serum of serum creatinine (> 1.0 mg/dl) was confined to the complicated cases. Improvement of somatic growth was observed in 21 patients (62%) and 13 (75%) at 12 and 24 months after transplantation, respectively. The long-term use of Tacrolimus is highly effective in terms of its immunosuppressive potential and reduced adverse reaction. Steady growth development can be expected in pediatric recipients free from steroids.     

FK506 in pediatric kidney transplantation—Primary and rescue experience

Between 14 December 1989 and 17 December 1993, 43 patients undergoing kidney transplantation alone at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh received FK506 as the primary immunosuppressive agent. The mean recipient age was 10.2±4.8 years (range 0.7–17.4 years), with 7 (16%) children under 5 years of age and 2 (5%) under 2 years of age. Fifteen (35%) children underwent retransplantation, and 5 (12%) had a panel-reactive antibody level greater than 40%. Twenty-two (51%) transplants were with cadaveric donors and 21 (49%) were with living donors. The mean follow-up was 25±14 months; there were no deaths; 1- and 3-year actuarial graft survival was 98% and 85%. The mean serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were 1.2±0.6 mg/dl and 26±11 mg/dl; the calculated creatinine clearance was 75±23 ml/min per 1.73 m². Twenty-four (62%) patients have been successfully with-drawn from steroids and 24 (62%) require no anti-hypertensive medication. Improved growth was seen, particularly in pre-adolescent children off steroids. Between 28 July 1990 and 2 December 1993, 24 children were referred for rescue therapy with FK506, 14.6±16.4 months (range 1.1–53.2 months) after transplantation. Nineteen (79%) were referred because of resistant rejection; 4 (17%) were referred because of proteinuria; 1 (4%) was switched because of steroid-related obesity. There were no deaths; 1-and 2-year graft survival was 75% and 68%; 17 (71%) patients were successfully rescued, including 1 of 2 patients who arrived on dialysis; 4 (24%) of the successfully rescued patients were weaned off steroids. While not without side effects, which include nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, diabetogenicity, and viral complications, FK506 appears to be an effective immunosuppressive agent for both primary and rescue therapy after kidney transplantation. Its steroid-sparing qualities may be of particular importance in the pediatric population.     

Conversion from cyclosporin to FK 506 after liver transplantation

Thirty-seven liver-grafted patients with steroid-resistant acute or chronic graft rejection or with cyclosporin-related complications were converted from CyA to FK 506. The clinical outcome of the patients primarily depended on the degree of liver dysfunction present at initiation of FK 506 treatment. In patients switched to FK 506 for treatment of acute or early chronic graft rejection, CyA nephrotoxicity, or CyA malabsorption, the FK 506 therapy was associated with a clear improvement in the clinical course. In contrast, in patients with advanced chronic graft rejection, a lower response rate to the conversion in immunosuppression was observed. The lower response rate was associated with a higher patient mortality. These studies demonstrate that FK 506 represents a valuable alternative immunosuppressant for liver-grafted patients. The conversion from CyA to FK 506 should take place before serious — and potentially irreversible — disturbances in liver function are observed.     

普乐可复预防同种肾移植排斥反应的研究

目的 评价并比较新型免疫抑制普乐可复（ＦＫ５０６）对预防同种肾移植受者排斥反应的疗效及安全性。方法 随机将９８例肾移植受者分成２组。（１）ＦＫ５０６组（ｎ＝４０）;主要用药为ＦＫ５０６＋霉酚酸酯（ＭＭＦ）＋泼尼松（Ｐｒｅｄ）;（２）环孢素９Ａ（ＣｓＡ组）（ｎ＝５８）;主要用药为;ＣｓＡ＋ＭＭＦ＋Ｐｒｅｄ。结果 ２组受者平均随访时间为１２．５个月。     

不同血药浓度FK506在肝移植术后应用的比较

目的总结肝脏移植术后应用免疫抑制药他克莫司(FK506)的经验。方法回顾性分析52例乙肝后肝硬化失代偿期肝移植患者的临床资料,依据术后应用FK506的浓度分为两组,观察其两组的术后存活率、移植肝功能及并发症发生情况。结果术后1年人/肝存活率、急性排斥反应及HBV再感染发生率,两组差异无统计学意义,肝功能在术后3、6个月两组之间差异有统计学意义,其余时间点差异无统计学意义,而术后肺部感染、新发糖尿病及高血脂发生率情况,两组差异有统计学意义。结论肝移植术后应用低剂量FK506更安全有效,术后一些并发症的发生和该药物的浓度有一定的相关性。     

The use of plasma levels for FK 506 dosing in liver-grafted patients

FK 506 plasma levels were analyzed in 89 liver-grafted patients under FK 506-based immunosuppression. Plasma levels were found to be influenced by the patients' liver function: compared to patients without major liver dysfunction, those with cholestasis had higher plasma levels and these plasma levels were able to differentiate between rejection and toxicity. In patients with stable liver function, no clear difference was observed with regard to the plasma levels detectable during toxicity or rejection. We conclude that plasma levels can be used to determine the FK 506 dose but only in patients with cholestasis (i.e, during the early post-transplant course, or in patients with cholestatic rejection). In patients with stable liver function, plasma levels are only of limited clinical relevance.     

FK506 conversion for intractable rejection of the liver allograft

Twenty-seven liver transplant recipients with intractable, biopsy-proven, acute or chronic rejection (defined as vanishing bile duct syndrome) were conerted from cyclosporin to FK506. Successful conversion was achieved in 9 of 15 patients with acute rejection and in 6 of 12 patients with vanishing bile duct syndrome. A normal bilirubin was achieved more quickly in those with acute rejection (within 1 moth) than in those with chronic rejection (within 3 months). A preconversion total bilirubin of less than 12 mg/dl was considered significant with regard to a successful outcome (P=0.002). Graft survival was 66.7% and patient survival 73% in the case of acute rejection, and 50% and 66.7%, respectively, in the case of chronic rejection. Nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and gastroitestinal side effects were the most serious complications of FK506 conversion. Six of ten patients had a drop in GFR that was 50% or greater a minimum of 1 month of FK506 exposure. The mean maintenance dose of FK506 to maintain FK506 serum levels of 0.5–1.5 ng/ml was 0.07 mg/kg per 12 h for adults (half the recommended dose), compared to 0.15 mg/kg per 12 h for pediatric patients. This study demonstrates that FK506 can be used successfully to convert patients with intractable acute and chronic rejection. Careful adjustments of FK506 dosages and levels are required to minimize side effects.     

心脏移植受者FK506治疗窗的临床初探

目的 寻求适合中国人心脏移植受者FK506理想治疗窗谷浓度范围。方法 应用微粒子酶免疫分析法（MEIA）测定6例心脏移植受者口服FK506后全血谷浓度,以FK506谷浓度结合病人临床疗效及不良反应的情况,总结FK506在心脏移植术后的治疗窗。结果 术后1年病人的FK506谷浓度控制在5-25ng/ml,未出现严重的排异反应和肾毒性,但术后早期曾出现头痛和震颤等不良反应。结论 FK506具有良好的免疫抑制效果,其治疗窗谷浓度范围,术后第1个月内为：15-20ng/ml,第2-3个月10-15ng/ml,第4-6个月8-12ng/ml,6个月后5-8ng/ml。此浓度范围即可有满意的免疫抑制效果。又可减少FK506的肾毒性。     

FK506和供体特异性输血在大鼠异位心脏移植中的作用

目的探讨FK506和供体特异性输血在大鼠异位心脏移植中的作用。方法利用大鼠异位心脏移植模型以了解在移植当天或移植术后第4日进行供者特异性输注（DST）的基础上,应用FK506能否延长移植物的存活。结果在移植当天行DST或单独用FK5061mg／kg连续10天,可将移植心中位存活时间从对照组的5天分别有效延长至7天和11天,而FK506与DST联合应用时并不产生增强效应。结论FK506和DST单独应用时虽均能延长大鼠同种移植心存活,但是它们没有协同作用。     

Neurological examinations after liver transplantation concerning patients under corticosteroid immunosuppression and either FK 506 or cyclosporin

Abstract To study the neurological sequelae in liver transplanted recipients, 25 patients were followed up between 5 and 30 months after transplantation and another 14 patients were seen before and after transplantation. Physical examination took special note of tremor and polyneuropathy; additionally, patients estimated concentration and memory, tremor, paraesthesias and sleep disturbances on a self-rating scale. Tremor was reported to be preexistent in 50% of the later FK 506 and cyclosporin group and only temporarily rose afterwards. Twenty-eight percent complained of tremor and 20 % said that it interfered mildly with daily activity. Only 2 of 39 patients showed new signs of polyneuropathy. Concentration and memory improved significantly after transplantation. In the second group of patients, MRI, EEG, lumbar puncture and neuropsychological tests were done just before and routinely after transplantation, revealing numerous preexisting neurological deficits with only singular changes afterwards.     

Comparison of short and long-term renal function in liver transplant patients receiving cyclosporin or FK 506

Abstract Long-term renal function was compared in 49 liver recipients [25 patients received cyclosporin (CyA) and 24 patients received FK 5061 followed for a period of 1 year. Creatinine (CR) and glome-rular filtration rate (GFR) pre-transplantation (pre-Tx) and at 1, 3, 5, and 12 months post-Tx were recorded, as well as incidences of hyperkalemia, post-Tx hypertension, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the two groups. At 1 year post-Tx, the mean Cr had risen from baseline by 56% and 60% in the FK and CyA groups, respectively; the mean GFR had dropped by 32% in FK patients and by 27 % in CyA patients. Acute nephrotoxicity occurred in 1/25 CyA patients (217 required dialysis) and 9/26 FK patients (7/9 required dialysis; 211 were switched to CyA). None remained on dialysis at 3 months. Renal insufficiency persisted at 1 year in 7/16 patients with early toxicity (CyA, 4; FK, 3) and in 3 of the remaining 36 pts ( P < 0.001). Hyperkalemia occurred in 4/25 CyA, and in 12/24 FK patients ( P < 0.025), post-Tx hypertension occurred in 15 CyA, and 7 FK patients ( P < 0.05), and IDDM occurred in 4 CyA and 7 FK patients ( P = ns). FK 506 and CyA, thus, exerted similar chronic renal effects. Although acute renal insufficiency improved upon dose reduction, renal impairment was permanent in some cases.     

A comparative study of FK506 granules and capsules in renal transplant recipients

Nine renal transplant recipients in stable systemic condition on FK506 capsules were converted to FK506 granules in order to investigate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of the granular formulation of FK506. The study period for the administration of FK506 granules was 4 weeks, and in principle, the oral dose was the same as that of the FK506 capsules. Renal graft function remained stable and no rejection signs were noticed while the patients were taking the granules. The area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC), the maximum blood level (C_max), and the time to reach C_max (T_max) after FK506 capsules and FK506 granules were, respectively, 93.1 ± 66.4 and 97.0 ± 89.1 ng · h/ml (P = 0.81), 12.7 ± 7.1 and 15.2 ± 11.7 ng/ml (P = 0.39), and 2.0 ± 1.7 and 1.3 ± 0.6 h (P = 0.29). The mean trough blood level during FK506 medication was 4.25 ± 3.42 and 4.02 ± 3.83 ng/ml, respectively, for the capsules and the granules. FK506 granules, a new formulation, showed an efficacy comparable to that of the FK506 capsular formulation. Received: 28 July 1997 Received after revision: 25 November 1997 Accepted: 14 January 1998     

Focus on intractable rejection: 6-month results of the European multicentre liver study of FK 506 and cyclosporin A

Abstract The incidence of intractable rejection was evaluated during the course of a multicentre, randomised, parallel-group study comparing the efficacy and safety of FK 506 and conventional cyclosporin A-based immunosuppressive regimens in patients undergoing primary liver transplantation. A diagnosis of intractable rejection was made if there was histological evidence of unchanged or worsening acute rejection, or chronic rejection after two discrete courses of antirejection therapy. Antirejection regimens were specific to each centre. Patients who experienced intractable rejection could be withdrawn from the study. Patients who were withdrawn from the cyclosporin A treatment group could subsequently receive FK 506 therapy and vice-versa. Intractable rejection was diagnosed in 32/540 patients (5.9%): 7/267 patients (2.6%) in the FK 506 treatment group and 25/273 patients (9.2%) receiving cyclosporin A therapy ( P < 0.01). Of these 32 patients, 25 were withdrawn from the study: 3 and 22, from the FK 506 and cyclosporin A treatment groups, respectively. All three patients withdrawn from the FK 506 treatment group are alive: two having undergone retransplantation. Of the 22 patients withdrawn from the cyclosporin A group and converted to FK 506 therapy, 6 were retransplanted, 4 of whom subsequently died. A further two patients died without retransplantation. Thus, in 14 of the 16 patients who were still alive at 6 months, the liver graft was saved after conversion to FK 506 treatment. The reduced incidence of intractable rejection in patients receiving treatment with FK 506, together with the successful rescue of patients developing intractable rejection while receiving cyclosporin A, suggests that FK 506 is an effective immunosuppressive agent following orthotopic liver transplantation.     

Corticosteroids and concomitant medication in the European multicentre study of FK 506 and cyclosporin in primary liver transplantation

Abstract The steroid-paring effect and the use of concomitant medication during the treatment of liver transplant patients with the novel immunosuppressant FK 506 were evaluated within the European multicentre, randomized, parallel-group study in liver transplantation. Patients undergoing primary liver transplantation were randomized to treatment with FK 506 ( n = 267) or with a cyclosporin-based immunosuppressive regimen ( n = 273). The total cumulative steroid usage was significantly reduced in the FK 506 treatment group, which is likely to have resulted from the lower incidence of acute rejection in these patients. The number of patients receiving antidiabetic, diuretic and antihypertensive therapy did not differ between the two treatment groups, even though the incidence of diabetes mellitus and oliguria was significantly higher in the FK 506 group. It can, therefore, be assumed that in a number of such cases the severity of these events was very mild necessitating no specific therapy.