Concentration-controlled everolimus with concomitant cyclosporine (CsA) dose reduction in renal transplantation permits preservation of kidney function without loss of efficacy. Data are lacking regarding everolimus with reduced-dose CsA in maintenance cardiac transplant patients.
In a multicenter, open-label, single-arm pilot study, concentration-controlled everolimus was initiated in patients receiving CsA microemulsion (Neoral) with/without mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine, and with/without corticosteroids. On the day of everolimus initiation, MMF/azathioprine was discontinued and CsA dose was reduced by 25% with further reductions as required in response to decreasing calculated glomerular filtration rate (cGFR).
Of the 36 patients enrolled (intent-to-treat [ITT]), 27 underwent CsA dose reduction as planned (per protocol [PP]). During Week 1, the CsA dose was reduced by 23.3 +/- 7.3% in the ITT population (p or=3A occurred (2.7%). There was no graft loss or death. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels decreased significantly, whereas cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased (all p