Clinical outcomes in the use of mycophenolate mofeil in liver transplant patients with chronic renal dysfunction

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of mycophenolate mofeil (MMF) combined with dose-decreased calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in patients who received liver transplanation with chronic kidney malfunction.Methods 28 liver transplant patients with chronic kidney malfunction were prospectively included in this study.MMF was initiated and the dose of the original immunosuppressive drug CNIs decreased.The change in renal function and adverse events were evaluated.Results One patient was discontinued with MMF treatment because of serious myelosuppression.The other 27 patients were treated with MMF with a median of 30.8 months.The basal creatinine values and the basal creatinine clearance were ( 134.26 ± 27.25) μmol/1 and (57.70 ± 16.93) ml/min,respectively.The basal glomerular filtration rate was (53.91±11.63) ml/min.The creatinine values at 1,3,6,12,24 and 36 months were 124.30±28.27 (P=0.006),130.19±29.29 (P=0.174),125.49±38.18 (P=0.194),119.71±31.36 (P=0.010),137.43±42.55 (P＝0.804),and (139.04±39.80) μmol/L (P=0.916).And the creatinine clearance values at 1,3,6,12,24 and 36 months were 62.57±19.29 (P=0.008),61.18± 19.70 (P=0.086),64.27±22.82 (P=0.018),67.48±22.59 (P=0.002),57.18±19.55 (P=0.405),and (54.56±23.48) ml/minute (P=0.708),respectively.The glomerular filtration rate at 1,3,6,12,24 and 36 months were 59.20 ± 14.05 (P=0.006),56.61±14.01 (P=0.04),60.47±17.33 (P=0.016),63.59±17.66 (P=0.002),53.75±13.60 (P=0.369),and (51.70±16.07) ml/min (P＝0.703).One patient (3.7％) had mild acute rejection.5 patients (18.5 ％ ) had mild abdominal distention or diarrhea.2 patients (7.4％) had ischemic cholangitis.No patient had cytomegalo virus infection or tumor recurrence.Conclusion In liver transplant recipients with chronic renal dysfunction,MMF allowed CNIs dose reduction or discontinuation,improved or stabilized renal function in most patients and it had only mild adverse events. Key words: Mycophenolate mofeil; Chronic renal dysfunction; Liver transplant; Cyclosporine; Tacrolimus