Everolimus: preventing organ rejection in adult kidney transplant recipients

Abstract

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal failure, and their survival after transplantation is gradually improving. Everolimus (EVL) is a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, providing a safe and effective immunosuppressive regime after kidney transplantation.Areas covered: The objective of this review is to summarize the clinical efficacy and safety of the EVL-based immunosuppressive regimen by analyzing peer-review reports and ongoing trials of its use after kidney transplantation in adult patients.Expert opinion: Judging by the more recent trials, it seems that EVL, in association with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) minimization, provides a well-tolerated regimen with a low risk of rejection and good graft function. Such regimens have been investigated intensively and should be preferable to complete elimination of CNI. In addition, future clinical studies should explore whether the pleiotropic effects of EVL are beneficial in the long term, leading to a reduction of cardiovascular diseases and de-novo malignancies.