Sirolimus for Refractory Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Case Report and Literature Review of the Treatment of Post-Transplant Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) may occur after any type of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT), even ABO-matched transplantation. It tends to be refractory to standard corticosteroid treatment and requires multiple transfusions. Though, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment for post-transplant severe AIHA. We present a pediatric patient with refractory AIHA after umbilical cord blood transplantation. She developed severe AIHA at 3 months after transplantation and was unresponsive to multiple treatment modalities, including corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange and rituximab, resulting in persistent transfusion dependency. Sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, was started on day 67 after the onset of AIHA, and this patient was successfully rescued without any complications. Sirolimus induces apoptosis in autoreactive lymphocytes, increases regulatory T cells and has been reported to have a positive effect on AIHA following solid organ transplantation (SOT). We reviewed the literature regarding post-transplant AIHA in the PubMed database and evaluated the treatment outcome of sirolimus in AIHA after SOT.     

Lack of tacrolimus-induced cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has been reported in pediatric transplant patients receiving tacrolimus. It is unclear whether tacrolimus is associated with HCM in adult transplant recipients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HCM in noncardlac adult transplant patients receiving tacrolimus. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of nonheart transplant recipients who received tacrolimus at our institution from January 1982 to April 1996 was conducted. Patients with left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) defined as a posterior or septal wall thickness > or = 1.3 cm by echocardiography (ECHO) were independently evaluated. RESULTS: There were 3609 patients who met entry criteria including 2257 liver, 1333 kidney, and 19 other organ transplants. Of the 502 patients who had undergone ECHOs after transplantation, 171 had LVH. The etiology of LVH was categorized as valvular disease (36%), hypertensive disease (29%), ischemic heart disease (17%), or multifactonal (15%). There were six patients in whom, after detailed chart review, no underlying cause of LVH was evident. Five of these patients had HCM, representing an overall prevalence of 0.1% in the entire group of tacrolimus-treated patients, and 1% in patients referred for ECHO. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HCM in our tacrolimus-treated adult transplant population is similar to that reported in general population studies. These data suggest that tacrolimus is not a risk factor for HCM in adult transplant recipients.     

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT): A retrospective analysis and a proposal of treatment on behalf of the Grupo Español De Trasplante de Medula Osea en Niños (GETMON) and the Grupo Español de Trasplante Hematopoyetico (GETH)

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) associated with poor outcome. However, an optimal therapeutic approach is lacking.Between 2000 and 2015, 4099 allogeneic HSCT were performed in eight pediatric centers of the Grupo Español De Trasplante de Medula Osea en Niños (GETMON) and six adult centers of the Grupo Español de Trasplante Hematopoyetico (GETH). Sixty cases of AIHA were registered with a cumulative incidence of 1.5% occurring at a median of 6 months after HSCT. Patients aged less than 15 years (P = .005), and patients using cord blood (P = .005) or an HLA mismatch donor (P = .005) were more likely to develop AIHA. Most patients were lymphopenic at the time of diagnosis of AIHA, including a low number of regulatory T lymphocytes (median 3/μL).Median lines of treatment received for AIHA was 3 (range, 1-7). Almost all patients received corticosteroids (88%) and more than half received immunoglobulins or rituximab (63% and 67%, respectively). Complete resolution of AIHA was achieved in 33 of 60 cases (55%). Cumulative incidence of AIHA-related mortality was 17 ± 6%. We found a correlation of AIHA outcome with age (better outcome in younger than 15 years, RR = 1.87, P = .01) and rituximab response (higher rate of complete remission in patients responding to rituximab, RR = 1.72, P = .025). We analyzed the factors involved in the response to rituximab and found a better response when there was ABO donor/receptor disparity (P = .014) and in those patients with B lymphocytes count above the median (38/μL) (P = .05).Thirty-six of 60 patients survived yielding a disease free survival of 52±8% at 40 months. In Cox analysis, age (children vs adults, HR: 8.19, CI 95%: 2.39-28.12, P = .001) and AIHA outcome (complete remission vs partial remission/non-response, HR: 4.18, CI 95%: 1.55-11.22, P = .005) were associated with a better survival.Our data suggest that patients who developed AIHA after HSCT are severely lymphopenic and have a high risk of mortality. Outcome is better in children and in patients treated with rituximab. We also propose an algorithm for treatment of AIHA after HSCT.     

Relation between mRNA expression level of multidrug resistance 1/ABCB1 in blood cells and required level of tacrolimus in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation

It has been difficult to set an individualized therapeutic window of tacrolimus after organ transplantation, because of wide interindividual variation of responsiveness to immunosuppressive therapy. In this study, we examined the significance of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) in the peripheral blood cells by comparing the trough concentration of tacrolimus with the occurrence of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in retrospectively collected pediatric living-donor liver transplant patients, who were enrolled after obtaining written informed consent. No significant difference in the intraindividual variation in MDR1 mRNA expression in the peripheral blood cells was observed between postoperative days 3 and 7. The average trough concentration of tacrolimus during the 15-day postoperative period was significantly higher in the event-free patients than in those who experienced ACR (21 of 44 cases), and they had higher levels of blood MDR1 mRNA. In addition, the average trough concentration of tacrolimus significantly correlated with the logarithmically transformed MDR1 mRNA data from the blood cells in patients of both the event-free (r = 0.5406; P = 0.0077) and ACR (r = 0.4772; P = 0.0284). The cellular accumulation of [(14)C]tacrolimus in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was 2-fold higher in mdr1a/1b-knockout mice than in wild-type mice (P = 0.0182). These results suggest that MDR1 in blood cells decreases the leukocytic concentration of tacrolimus, and it could be a useful marker to establish an individualized target concentration of tacrolimus to prevent ACR in pediatric patients after liver transplantation.     

Diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune haemolytic anaemias in adults: a clinical review

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is an immune disorder caused by antibodies directed against unmodified autologous red cells. The disorder may be a primary (idiopathic) or a secondary disease. The diagnosis is based on the presence of anaemia, signs of haemolysis with reticulocytosis, low haptoglobin, increased lactate dehydrogenase, elevated indirect bilirubin, and a positive direct antiglobulin test (Coombs test). Sometimes, not all of these typical features are present. Most AIHA are caused by warm antibodies, whereas cold antibodies are less commonly detected. While half of the warm antibody-based AIHA are idiopathic anaemias, almost all cold antibody AIHA are secondary anaemias. Underlying diseases are Non Hodgkin's lymphomas and systemic autoimmune disorders, and less frequently organ transplantation, infections, or solid tumors. Moreover, AIHA is an important complication of treatment with nucleoside analogs. Most patients with AIHA require therapy. In warm antibody AIHA, standard first line therapy are glucocorticosteroids with or without high dose immunoglobulins, whereas splenectomy is considered second-line therapy. Response rates of primary AIHA to corticosteroid therapy are high. After initial remission, the dose should be tapered down slowly and with caution, and in some cases, low-dose maintenance therapy is required. The efficacy of standard therapy is low in secondary AIHA that develops in lymphoma patients, posttransplant patients, or tumor patients. Among other immunosuppressive treatments, rituximab (anti-CD20) appears to be highly effective in patients with warm antibody AIHA refractory to standard therapy. Mycophenolate mofetil is quite effective in AIHA patients with an underlying autoimmune or lymphoproliferative disease. Patients with cold agglutinins are refractory to steroids and splenectomy. Half of these patients may respond to rituximab, although responses usually are short-lived. Sometimes, AIHA that is associated with malignant lymphomas or tumors, disappears after successful anti-lymphoma or anti-tumor therapy.     

Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenomic analysis of tacrolimus in pediatric living-donor liver transplant recipients

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate the population pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in pediatric living-donor liver transplant recipients and examine the effects of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene and the cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 on the oral clearance of tacrolimus. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from 130 de novo pediatric liver transplant recipients treated with tacrolimus during the first 50 postoperative days. Pharmacogenomic data including both the CYP3A5*3 polymorphism and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels of MDR1, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 in the native intestine and the graft liver at transplantation were obtained from 65 of the recipients. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed with the nonlinear mixed-effects modeling program NONMEM to estimate population mean parameters of apparent clearance (CL/F) and apparent volume of distribution (V/F). RESULTS: Both CL/F and V/F were allometrically related to body weight, and CL/F decreased when the AST value was elevated. CL/F increased linearly in the immediate postoperative period but did not change with time after postoperative day 21. The intestinal MDR1 mRNA level significantly influenced the initial CL/F (P < .005). Furthermore, the increase in CL/F over time was 2 times higher (95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.81 times; P < .005) in recipients of a CYP3A5*1-carrying graft liver than in patients with the hepatic CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype. The Bayesian prediction for tacrolimus concentrations was not significantly biased on any postoperative day, and the mean absolute prediction error was lower than 3 ng/mL after the first 2 weeks of transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The enterocyte MDR1 mRNA level and the CYP3A5*1 allele in the graft liver contribute differently to the interindividual variability in the oral clearance of tacrolimus after living-donor liver transplantation.     

Recurrence of migraine with aura due to tacrolimus therapy in a liver transplant recipient successfully treated with sirolimus substitution

We report the case of a female liver transplant recipient who developed a recurrence of severe migraine with aura while on tacrolimus therapy with subsequent remission of headache following discontinuation of tacrolimus and substitution with sirolimus therapy. Headaches in transplant-recipient patients have become a new area of interest for headache specialists. In particular, immunosuppressant medications such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, and OKT3 have been associated with development of headache syndromes in the transplant patient, exacerbation of previous headaches syndromes, and development of encephalopathies including headache as a clinical feature.     

Rituximab for immune cytopenia in adults: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and Evans syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with immune cytopenia, including idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and Evans syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of all patients treated with rituximab for immune cytopenia at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, through January 1, 2003. Fourteen patients (median age at first diagnosis, 51 years; range, 21-79 years) were identified who received 1 or more treatment courses of rituximab for treatment of refractory ITP (12 patients), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) (5 patients), or both ITP and AIHA (classified as Evans syndrome) (4 patients). Data regarding age, diagnosis, date of diagnosis, previous treatments, comorbid conditions, blood cell counts before taking rituximab, number of rituximab treatments, and response to treatment were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Of 12 patients treated for ITP, 6 were receiving corticosteroid-based treatment either alone or combined with other immunosuppressive therapy at the time they received rituximab. Complete remission occurred in 5 (42%) of 12 patients with ITP and in 2 (40%) of 5 patients with AIHA. Response to rituximab in patients with Evans syndrome was seen in either ITP or AIHA, but not both. Complete response was often durable in ITP. Responses were seen in both splenectomized and nonsplenectomized patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings, considered with the results of other studies, suggest that rituximab deserves early consideration as salvage therapy for immune cytopenias that are refractory to both corticosteroid treatment and splenectomy. This series represents the largest series of adult patients with AIHA and Evans syndrome.     

肝癌患者肝移植术前使用PD-1抑制剂对移植后排斥反应的影响

目的:观察肝癌患者肝移植术前使用PD-1抑制剂对肝移植术后排斥反应的影响。方法:选取2019年1月1日至2019年12月31日在复旦大学附属中山医院行肝移植且移植前接受过PD-1抑制剂治疗的肝癌患者,共12例。检测其术后早期他克莫司药物浓度,观察移植术后排斥反应发生情况。结果:术后第1周和第2周他克莫司浓度分别为(5.14±2.68) ng/mL和(8.41±5.73) ng/mL。16.7%(2/12)患者发生细胞性排斥。结论:肝移植术前使用PD-1抑制剂的肝癌患者,其移植术后排斥反应的发生率未见明显增加。     

Pharmacodynamic analysis of tacrolimus and cyclosporine in living-donor liver transplant patients

BACKGROUND: The calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and cyclosporine (INN, ciclosporin) have been widely used to prevent allograft rejection after transplantation. We investigated pharmacodynamic properties of the 2 drugs and their clinical relevance in liver transplantation. METHODS: Forty de novo living-donor liver transplant patients participated in this study, and they were treated with either tacrolimus (N = 30) or cyclosporine (N = 10). We simultaneously measured blood drug concentrations and calcineurin phosphatase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells during the first 14 postoperative days. Nephrotoxicity and acute rejection were also examined in relation to the blood drug concentrations and calcineurin activity. RESULTS: Calcineurin activity was only partially inhibited by tacrolimus concentrations greater than 20 ng/mL, although it could be almost completely inhibited by cyclosporine concentrations greater than 700 ng/mL. According to a maximum effect model, the population mean estimates of the EC(50) (blood concentration that yields a half-maximal effect) for tacrolimus and cyclosporine were 26.4 ng/mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.7-37.1 ng/mL) and 200 ng/mL (95% CI, 127-274 ng/mL), respectively. Patients with nephrotoxicity in both groups had significantly higher trough concentrations compared with those without this adverse event. In addition, patients with acute rejection in the tacrolimus group had significantly lower trough concentrations and higher calcineurin activity than those without a rejection episode. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory effects on calcineurin activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells differed between tacrolimus and cyclosporine in living-donor liver transplant patients. Pharmacodynamic assessment in combination with blood concentration monitoring may be useful for determining the individual therapeutic range of tacrolimus and cyclosporine.     

Pediatric intestinal and multivisceral transplantation: a new challenge for the pediatric intensivist

INTRODUCTION: With increasing survival rates, intestinal transplantation (ITx) and multivisceral transplantation have reached the mainstream of medical care. Pediatric candidates for ITx often suffer from severe multisystem impairments that pose challenges to the medical team. These patients frequently require intensive care preoperatively and have unique intensive care needs postoperatively. METHODS: We reviewed the literature on intensive care of pediatric intestinal transplantation as well as our own experience. This review is not aimed only at pediatric intensivists from ITx centers; these patients frequently require ICU care at other institutions. RESULTS: Preoperative management focuses on optimization of organ function, minimizing ventilator-induced lung injury, preventing excessive edema yet maintaining adequate organ perfusion, preventing and controlling sepsis and bleeding from varices at enterocutaneous interfaces, and optimizing nutritional support. The goal is to extend life in stable condition to the point of transplantation. Postoperative care focuses on optimizing perfusion of the mesenteric circulation by maintaining intravascular volume, minimizing hypercoagulability, and providing adequate oxygen delivery. Careful monitoring of the stoma and its output and correction of electrolyte imbalances that may require renal replacement therapy is critical, as are monitoring for and aggressively treating infections, which often present with only subtle clinical clues. Signs of intestinal rejection may be non-specific, and early differentiation from other causes of intestinal dysfunction is important. Understanding of the expanding armamentarium of immunosuppressive agents and their side-effects is required. CONCLUSIONS: As outcomes of ITx improve, transplant teams accept patients with higher pre-operative morbidity and at higher risk for complications. Many ITx patients would benefit from earlier referral for transplant evaluation before severe liver disease, recurrent central venous catheter-related sepsis and venous thromboses develop.     

Polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-10, cytochrome P450 3A5 and ABCB1 in Chinese liver transplant patients treated with immunosuppressant tacrolimus

BACKGROUND: Cytokine production in the host immune response after transplantation may contribute to the variable CYP3A-dependent drug disposition. We investigated the effect of TNF-alpha, IL-10, CYP3A5 and ABCB1 polymorphisms on immunosuppressant tacrolimus pharmacokinetics in liver transplant patients. METHODS: Genetic polymorphisms in TNF-alpha, IL-10, CYP3A5 and ABCB1 were studied in 70 liver transplant recipients and 70 donors. Tacrolimus dosage and blood concentration were investigated at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: The IL-10 G-1082A polymorphism in recipients was significantly associated with tacrolimus concentration/dose (C/D) ratios (IL-10-1082GG < GA < AA) within the first 3weeks posttransplantation (P < 0.05). Recipients with the capacity for low IL-10 production (-1082AA) carrying CYP3A5 non-expressor (CYP3A5()3/()3) liver had the highest C/D ratios (mean: 172.4, 161.7, 160.3 for 1, 2 and 3 weeks posttransplantation, respectively), whereas recipients with intermediate or high production of IL-10 (-1082GA or GG) engrafted with CYP3A5 expressor (CYP3A5()1 carrier) liver were found to have the lowest ratios (96.4, 78.0 and 75.4, respectively, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The IL-10 G-1082A and CYP3A5()3 polymorphisms may influence the interindividual variability of tacrolimus pharmacokinetics in Chinese liver transplant patients. This finding provided a new interpretation for the variable immunosuprressant disposition after transplantation.     

Population pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and CYP3A5, MDR1 and IL-10 polymorphisms in adult liver transplant patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant widely used after liver transplantation, is characterized by a large inter-individual variability in its pharmacokinetics. The aim of this study was to perform population pharmacokinetic analysis of oral tacrolimus in liver transplant recipients and clarify the potential role of CYP3A5, MDR1 and IL-10 genetic polymorphisms in the variability of population pharmacokinetic parameters. METHODS: Tacrolimus blood concentration data (n = 1106) were collected from 104 full liver transplant patients and were analysed using a non-linear mixed-effects modelling program (nonmem). The CYP3A5*3, MDR1 G2677T/A and C3435T genetic polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The IL-10 G-1082A variant was studied by allele-specific PCR method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The liver function in patients as indicated by the total bilirubin level (TBIL) and different CYP3A5*3 genotypes in donors (CYPD) and recipients (CYPR) were observed to influence tacrolimus pharmacokinetic parameter of apparent clearance (Cl/F). The final regression model can be expressed as Cl/F = 15.9 - 1.88 TBIL + 7.65 CYPD + 7.00 CYPR. The relative standard errors (%RSE) of the parameter estimation were lower than 30% and the residual variability of tacrolimus trough blood concentration was 2.81 ng/mL. No significant effect of MDR1 and IL-10 polymorphisms was observed on population pharmacokinetic parameter of tacrolimus within 175 days after liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: The TBIL in patients and CYP3A5*3 genetic polymorphism in both donors and recipients contribute to the inter-individual variability of oral tacrolimus apparent clearance in Chinese adult liver transplant patients.     

Clinical significance of serologic markers related to red blood cell autoantibodies production after red blood cell transfusion—severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurring after transfusion and alloimmunization: successful treatment with rituximab

BACKGROUND: The association of autoantibody formation with blood transfusion was previously noted. Severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) diagnosed after red blood cell (RBC) transfusion determined us to undertake this study and investigate the incidence and clinical significance of autoantibodies occurring after transfusion by a retrospective review of blood bank and medical records.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We report a lymphoma patient who developed severe autohemolysis after blood transfusion and alloantibody production. The hemolysis was refractory to steroids and chemotherapy and ceased after rituximab. We also retrospectively assessed the blood bank records for a 2-year period to identify the patients who developed autoantibodies after blood transfusion and examined laboratory, clinical features, and outcome.
RESULTS: From January 2005 through December 2006, 375 direct antiglobulin tests (DATs) and 3409 indirect antiglobulin tests (IATs) were found to be positive. Thirty-eight patients with positive DATs and IATs had demonstrable RBC warm-type autoantibodies occurring after blood transfusion; 27 of them had also one or more alloantibodies. Clinical and laboratory signs of hemolysis were absent in all patients (except the case reported). In another 5 patients alloantibodies were retrieved from RBC eluate and serum without evidence of autoantibodies; therefore, a delayed serologic transfusion reaction was diagnosed.
CONCLUSION: RBC autoantibodies are quite commonly found after blood transfusion. Nevertheless, clinically significant AIHA is a rare but at times a life-threatening phenomenon. We describe a first case of successful treatment with rituximab of refractory posttransfusion AIHA. Rituximab must be further evaluated for this indication.     

肝移植过程中合并小肠坏死2例

背景：肝移植过程中合并肠坏死发生率低,并且多放弃手术治疗导致患者死亡。目的：回顾性分析肝移植过程中合并小肠坏死的常见原因,探讨可行的治疗方案。方法：总结207例肝移植患者资料,其中2例患者肝移植过程中发现小肠坏死,病例1行肝移植联合坏死小肠切除,病例2放弃肝移植,保守治疗。结果与结论：2例患者移植前均存在门脉系统血栓。病例1患者移植前上消化道出血,反复止血药物应用加重血栓,进而导致肠坏死发生。患者肝移植后第10天发现肠瘘,行造瘘术。造瘘术后患者合并腹腔、肺部感染。抗感染治疗并停用免疫抑制剂7d后感染控制。造瘘术后40d肠瘘愈合,康复出院。目前,随访两年余患者健康生存;病例2移植前大量腹水导致腹腔间室综合征发生,肠道静脉回流障碍导致广泛小肠坏死。放弃肝移植后第2天,患者因多脏器功能衰竭死亡。可见等待肝移植患者,如移植前存在门脉系统血栓,合并腹痛、腹胀等症状时,需警惕肠坏死发生;肝移植过程中如发现小肠坏死,可行肝移植联合坏死小肠切除,患者可获得良好预后。     

Drop in trough blood concentrations of tacrolimus after switching from nelfinavir to fosamprenavir in four HIV-infected liver transplant patients

Solid organ transplantation in HIV-infected individuals requires concomitant use of immunosuppressants and antiretrovirals that may cause significant drug interactions. Here we report on a peculiar pharmacokinetic interaction between tacrolimus and protease inhibitors (PIs) which occurred in four HIV-infected liver transplant patients who had to shift PI therapy from nelfinavir to fosamprenavir as a consequence of regulatory restrictions. After the switch, tacrolimus trough blood concentrations significantly dropped in all patients (mean +/- SD 6.9 +/- 2.6 versus 3.2 +/- 2.0 ng/ml before and after the switch, respectively; P=0.01), so that a marked dosage increase was needed (0.29 +/- 0.14 versus 0.88 +/- 0.48 mg/day, 1-3 days before and 3 weeks after the switch, respectively; P=0.046) to attain the desired target (8.7 +/- 2.3 ng/ml). Consistently, marked changes of the concentration/dose ratio of tacrolimus were observed in all cases (27.2 +/- 9.7 ng/ml per mg/kg/day versus 9.7 +/- 4.0 ng/ml per mg/kg/day before and after the switch, respectively; P<0.001). Our findings suggest that fosamprenavir may be less potent than nelfinavir in inhibiting tacrolimus clearance and support the need for higher tacrolimus dosage to avoid insufficient immunosuppression in HIV-infected liver transplant patients when switching from nelfinavir to fosamprenavir or even when directly starting antiretroviral therapy with fosamprenavir.     

ABCB1基因多态性对肝移植后他克莫司用量的影响

背景：钙神经素抑制剂他克莫司被广泛用于移植后预防排斥反应的发生,但其治疗窗狭窄,且药代动力学个体差异较大。目的：观察ABCB1基因多态性对肝移植患者移植后早期免疫抑制剂他克莫司的用量及C/D比值的影响。方法：选择2008-01/2010-09-31在昆明市第一人民医院暨昆明医学院附属甘美医院肝胆外科接受原位肝移植患者67例,通过检测67例肝移植受者移植后不同时间他克莫司的血药浓度及其用量,并利用DNA直接测序检测受体ABCB1的基因多态性,分析肝移植后免疫抑制剂他克莫司的用量及其血药浓度与ABCB1基因多态性的关系。结果与结论：肝移植后他克莫司的口服需药量在个体间存在很大差异,67例肝移植患者中,ABCB1不同位点的基因多态性分布不同,其中仅ABCB1 3435C〉T基因多态性与他克莫司用量有关。提示ABCB1的基因多态性可能是患者肝移植后他克莫司药代动力学显著个体差异的重要因素,ABCB1 3435C〉T野生型的患者需要更高剂量的他克莫司便可达到目标血药浓度水平,检测ABCB1的基因多态性可以优化肝移植后免疫抑制剂的个体化治疗方案。     

Sirolimus-associated hepatotoxicity in liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Sirolimus is an immunosuppressant that exerts anti-rejection activity by inhibiting T-cell activity and is used to treat chronic rejection and calcineurin-related nephrotoxicity. Unlike tacrolimus and cyclosporine, it has no effect on calcineurin activity in liver transplant recipients. OBJECTIVE: To report correlates of survival outcomes in a series of patients with putative sirolimus-related hepatotoxicity after liver transplant. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent a liver transplant for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and who received sirolimus immunosuppressive therapy between November 2000 and November 2003. Extracted data included sirolimus serum concentrations, frequency of sirolimus-related adverse effects, drug-related clinical hepatitis, and survival outcomes. RESULTS: Ten patients were found to have been treated with sirolimus for either renal insufficiency (n = 6) or chronic rejection (n = 4). Six patients had liver biopsies, while the remaining 4 patients were clinically diagnosed with rejection. Two of the 6 patients demonstrated changes consistent with sinusoidal congestion and one with eosinophilia, consistent with an allergic drug reaction. HCV viral load increased slightly, from 600 000 to 700 000 IU/mL. Mean baseline transaminase levels were 45 IU/L for aspartate aminotransferase and 50 IU/L for alanine aminotransferase, with peak levels of 210 and 180 IU/L, respectively. The time to transaminase increase was a mean of 21 days when sirolimus was added, with resolution within 27 days (mean) after its discontinuation. No changes were evident in antiviral therapy. Combination sirolimus and tacrolimus concentrations were maintained at >10 ng/mL; average monotherapy with sirolimus was 12 ng/mL, and average time on therapy was 25 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Sirolimus-related hepatotoxicity is an important complication after liver transplant. Immediate recognition is critical to avoid confusion with other causes of abnormal serum aminotransferases after liver transplant, and discontinuation of the drug may be required.     

肝移植受者等待供肝期间认知行为干预及效果评价

背景：随着肝移植技术的不断发展和完善,等待供肝期和肝移植后的患者也不断增多,由于其对手术的恐惧和对移植后康复的担心等原因,其身心处于应激状态,大多存在着各种精神心理障碍,影响着患者的康复。目前对于肝移植患者心理问题的研究多集中在肝移植后,而对于等待供肝期患者的心理状态没有得到足够的评估和干预。目的：探讨适合肝移植受者等待供肝期间认知行为的干预模式,评价其改善患者身心状态的效果。方法：将12例进行移植前评估的肝移植受者随机分为实验组和对照组各6例,对照组接受常规治疗和护理,实验组除接受常规治疗和护理外还接受认知行为干预。在两组患者入院时、入院1周和3周时分别采用Zung焦虑自评量表进行评定,并测量两组生命体征的变化。结果与结论：入院1周和3周时实验组Zung焦虑自评量表得分低于对照组,随干预时间的延长,Zung焦虑自评量表得分逐渐降低;入院3周时实验组收缩压低于对照组,但两组舒张压比较和组内不同时间点比较差异无显著性意义;入院1周和3周时实验组心率值低于对照组;入院3周时实验组呼吸频率低于同期对照组。结果可见认知行为干预可降低肝移植受者等待供肝期间的焦虑恐惧程度,保持生命体征平稳,具有较好的可行性和有效性。     

Voriconazole inhibition of the metabolism of tacrolimus in a liver transplant recipient and in human liver microsomes

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of voriconazole on the blood tacrolimus concentration in a liver transplant recipient and to examine the interaction between voriconazole and tacrolimus by using human liver microsomes. Two subjects were enrolled in the clinical study: one received voriconazole, and the other received a placebo. Tacrolimus metabolism was evaluated in human liver microsomes at various concentrations in the absence and presence of various concentrations of voriconazole. Coadministration of voriconazole and tacrolimus resulted in elevated (nearly 10-fold-higher) trough tacrolimus blood concentrations in the liver transplant patient. In the in vitro study, voriconazole at a concentration of 10.4 +/- 4.3 micro g/ml inhibited the metabolism of tacrolimus by 50%. Clinically relevant concentrations of voriconazole inhibited the metabolism of tacrolimus in human liver microsomes. Close monitoring of the blood concentration and adjustment in the dose of tacrolimus are warranted in transplant recipients treated with voriconazole.