Conversion to tacrolimus after liver transplantation

We have reviewed our experience with conversion to tacrolimus after 435 liver transplantations. Tacrolimus was administered as a rescue agent in 33 patients until October 1993. Indications for rescue therapy were: cholestatic forms of severe, steroid-resistant cellular rejection (n=8), OKT3-resistant cellular rejections (n=6), cellular rejections in patients suffering from cyclosporin malabsorption (n=4), late onset cellular rejections (n=4), early chronic rejections (n=3), and chronic vascular or ductopenic rejections (n=8). Response was evident in 29 of the 33 patients (88%), whereas 4 patients (12%) were nonresponsive. Patient and graft survival were 76% and 70%, respecitively. Graft loss with or without patient death occurred in three of eight patients suffering from severe, steroid-resistant cellular rejection, in two of six patients with OKT3-resistant cellular rejections, and in five of eight patients undergoing chronic rejection. In severe steroid-resistant cellular rejection, successful tacrolimus rescue therapy corresponded to a significantly lower total serum bilirubin than unsuccessful therapy (12.0±5.6 mg% vs 29.7±5.9 mg%, P(0.05). We conclude that tacrolimus rescue therapy is a safe and efficient alternative for high-risk cases that do not respond to conservative treatment. In severe, steroid-resistant cellular rejection and in chronic ductopenic rejection, conversion to tacrolimus is beneficial only in a limited number of cases. A predictive parameter, which total serum bilirubin may prove to be in severe, steroid-resistant cellular rejection, is needed to select those cases that might benefit more from retransplantation than from conversion to tacrolimus.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

Living related liver transplantation across ABO blood groups with FK506 and OKT3

In living related liver transplantation (LRLT), the use of graft livers across ABO blood groups is unavoidable since the organ donor is usually one of the recipient's parents. This report presents our initial experiences with LRLT, focusing on ABO-incompatible cases. From June 1990 to May 1992, we successfully performed a series of 34 LRLT on children (15 males and 19 females) ranging in age from 7 months to 15 years. Overall recipient survival rates were 90% (25/28) in elective LRLT and 50% (3/6) in emergency LRLT. These cases were classified into three groups: ABO blood group-identical (n=21), compatible (n=10), and incompatible (n=3). The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of FK506 and low-dose steroids in the first two groups. In the incompatible cases, exchange transfusion was performed to decrease anti-A and/or-B antibody titers before LRLT, and prophylactic OKT3 was added to FK506 and steroids after LRLT. No significant difference in recipient and graft survifal was observed among the groups. In the identical group, no rejection episodes have been observed thus far. Rejection occurred in two out of the ten compatible cases. Among the incompatible cases, one recipient had mild rejection and was treated. The remaining two recipients have had no rejection episodes thus far. Although all three recipients had cytomegalovitus (CMV) infection, they were successfully treated with gancyclovir, and no lethal infection has developed in any of these cases. The present results suggest that graft livers from living related donors across ABO blood groups can function well with FK506, low-dose steroids, and prophylactic OKT3 without causing lethal complications.     

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     

Patient and graft survival in the European Multicentre Liver Study - FK 506 vs cyclosporin A

Abstract A prospective randomised study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FK 506 administered with corticosteroids compared with a cyclosporin A-based immunosuppressive regimen in patients undergoing primary liver transplantation. 545 patients were recruited in eight European centres, of whom 267 were randomised to FK 506 therapy and 273 to cyclosporin A-based therapy. The estimated Kaplan-Meier patient and graft survival figures of 82.9% and 77.5% respectively in the FK 506 group were higher than the comparable figures in the cyclosporin A group (77.5% and 72.6%, respectively). These differences did not reach statistical significance. Retransplantation rates, time to first rejection episode and number of rejection episodes were all lower ( P < 0.001) in the FK 506 group. The infection rates were comparable between the two groups. During the study, the dose of FK 506 was reduced; this did not compromise efficacy and reduced the associated toxicity. FK 506 provides effective immunosuppression in patients undergoing primary liver transplantation and is associated with a lower incidence of rejection.     

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。     

Neurotoxicity after orthotopic liver transplantation in cyclosporin A-and FK 506-treated patients

Abstract Neurotoxicity is a serious complication following orthotopic liver transplantation leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Neurotoxicity may be evoked by various perioperative factors, or may be due to drug-pecific toxicity of immunosuppression. In the present study we evaluated the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) toxicity occurring within the early postoperative period of 121 patients, 61 randomly assigned to FK 506- and 60 to CsA-based immunosuppression as part of a multicentre study. The incidence of moderate or severe CNS toxicity was higher in patients treated with FK 506 (21.3%) than in patients receiving CsA (11.7%). The duration of symptoms was also greater in patients treated with FK 506 than in patients receiving CsA. The incidence of moderate or severe neurotoxicity after retransplantation was markedly greater in patients treated with FK 506 (100% of the patients).     

Nephrotoxicity after orthotopic liver transplantation in cyclosporin A and FK 506-treated patients

Abstract Nephrotoxicity represents a serious side-effect of immunosuppression following orthotopic liver transplantation. In order to preserve the therapeutic potential of cyclosporin (CsA) and FK 506 in human liver transplantation and to differentiate the nephrotoxic action of either drug in a clinical setting, we evaluated the incidence of early and late nephrotoxicity in 121 patients, 60 randomly assigned to CsA- and 61 to FK 506-based immunosuppression. Early postoperative renal insufficiency (between PODO and 30; SCr 1.5-3 mg/dl) was observed to a similar extent in patients treated with CsA (36.7%) and FK 506 (42.6%). Early postoperative acute renal failure (ARF; SCr > 3 mg/dl) occurred in 18.3%, regardless of the immunosuppressive management. Approximately 50% of patients with ARF required hemodialysis (CsA: 11.7%; and FK 506: 8.3%). Mean onset of hemodialysis in CsA-treated patients was POD1 and in FK 506-treated patients, POD 6, which demonstrated a different time course of drug-pecific nephrotoxicity of CsA and FK 506 in early ARF. All patients with early postoperative ARF requiring hemodialysis survived more than 1 year (100% survival). New onset of late ARF (between POD 30 and 365), however, occurred in 6.5% under FK 506 and in 1.7% under CsA immunosuppression due to severe infections with the multiple organ failure syndrome. This observation was consistent with the assumption of overimmunosuppression rather than a primary nephrotoxic effect. Mortality of patients with late ARF requiring hemodialysis was 100%. Late renal insufficiency appeared in 23.3% of CsA- and in 29.4% of FK 506-treated patients, and represented a slowly progressing form of drug-pecific nephrotoxicity. These preliminary results demonstrated a similar outcome in terms of early and late nephrotoxicity, but longer follow-up will delineate its overall efficacy and toxicity in humans.     

FK506对肝移植术后血脂影响及高脂血症和GNB3基因C825T多态性的关系

目的 研究不同FK506血药浓度对肝移植术后血脂的影响及术后高脂血症发生与GNB3 C825T多态性的关系.方法 将58例乙肝后肝硬化肝移植患者依据FK506浓度分为高浓度（A组）和低浓度（B组）,统计患者肝移植术后1、3、6、12个月血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三脂（TG）的水平,评价FK506浓度差异对术后血脂的影响;并利用快速的序列特异性聚合酶链反应（SSP-PCR）方法,检测人GNB3 C825T单核苷酸多态性,分析GNB3 C825T多态性与肝移植FK506治疗后高血脂发生率的相关性.结果 两组患者组内术前与术后1年的TG水平差异有统计学意义（A组P＜ 0.001,B组P=0.049）,而TC水平差异无统计学意义（A组P=0.060,B组P=0.436）.两组术后1年的TG水平差异显著（P=0.002）,但两组高血脂发生率及TC水平差异不显著（P分别为0.207和0.317）,GNB3 C825T多态性与FK506治疗后高血脂发生率相关不显著（P=o.91）.结论 FK506影响肝移植术后TG的水平并与其浓度正相关;术后1年高脂血症发生率与FK506血药浓度不显著,与GNB3 C825T单核苷酸多态性相关也不显著.     

Delayed administration of FK 506 is sufficient to suppress acute rejection changes after aortal transplantation in rats

Arterial allografts are used now-a-days as a modality in the treatment of vascular prosthesis infections. Prolonged administration of immunosuppressive drugs seemed to be essential for long-time patency rates of alloarterial vascular reconstructions. Nevertheless, the use of immunosuppressives if there exist an acute infection is controversial. The experimental work described herein studied effects of a delayed low-dose FK 506 administration on the development of acute rejection changes 30 days after aortal transplantation in rats. The response of the recipient's immune system to aortal wall antigens of the donor in the field of no immunosuppression resulted in an intimal proliferation and its infiltration by immunocompetent cells of the recipient, necrosis of medial smooth muscle cells, including deposition of immunoglobulins, and a massive adventitial infiltration of CD4 and CD8 positive cells. On the other hand, all the principal histological signs of rejection listed above were suppressed by FK 506 administration, no matter whether the immunosuppressive was administered on day 0 or day 7 after the transplantation.     

Steroid withdrawal 3 months after liver transplantation - does FK 506 confer any advantage over cyclosporin?

Abstract Eighty-one liver recipients were randomised to FK 506 Or cyclosporin (CyA) and azathioprine (AzA), both in combination with steroids. Twenty-even FK 506 and 29 CyA/AzA patients continued in the trial 3 months after transplantation. Steroids were ceased in 23 (85%) FK 506 patients and in 27 (93%) CyA patients. After steroid withdrawal, 2 FK 506 and 4 CyA patients were excluded from the study, all for reasons other than rejection. The median follow-up was 16 months for the FK 506, and 19 months for CyA group. There were no acute rejection episodes or graft losses in the FK 506 group. None of the CyA patients lost their graft but three (13%) had episodes of acute rejection requiring steroids to be recommenced in two cases. There was no evidence of chronic rejection in any of the annual review biopsies in either group. Our results suggested no advantage of FK 506 over CyA in its steroid-paring effect.     

Japanese study of FK 506 on kidney transplantation: 2. Follow-up study of FK 506-treated patients

Thirty-seven primary renal transplant patients were enrolled in the early phase II study on kidney transplantation. All grafts survived during the follow-up period. However, 10 of the 37 patients were changed from FK 506 to conventional drugs, and 3 were treated concomitantly with azathioprine (AZA) or mizoribine (MZR) in the 3-month period of observation. After 3 months posttransplantation, an additional 10 patients were treated continuously with AZA or MZR. In addition, 3 were converted from FK 506 to conventional drugs. No additional conversion was observed after 4 months. Trough level monitoring was effective enough to regulate the FK 506 dosage. Nephrotoxicity and hyperglycemia were associated with a high trough level of FK 506 (whole blood, > 20 ng/ml).     

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。