Abstract
The high success rate of HLA-identical sibling transplants and our previous experience with steroid-free immunosuppressive regimens and cyclosporine withdrawal prompted us to evaluate the safety and efficacy of monotherapy with azathioprine in 12 HLA-identical kidney transplant recipients with a serum creatinine concentration less than 176.8 mumol/L, a 1-way stimulatory index less than 2.0 in a post-transplant mixed lymphocyte culture, and a demonstrated tolerance of a minimum azathioprine dose of 1.0 mg/kg per day without leukopenia. Eleven of 12 patients were successfully converted to azathioprine monotherapy without a significant change in serum creatinine concentration for as long as 76 months. Benefits of steroid and cyclosporine withdrawal included a significant reduction in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, number of blood pressure medications, total serum cholesterol, and glycohemoglobin in diabetic subjects. Our results suggest that azathioprine monotherapy is safe and effective in a select group of HLA-identical sibling transplants, but these benefits must be carefully balanced against an associated risk of precipitating acute allograft rejection.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of transplant coordination : official publication of the North American Transplant Coordinators Organization (NATCO)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
