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Efficacy of everolimus in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation: a retrospective study

Authors Tsujimura K, Ota M, Chinen K, Nagayama K, Oroku M, Nishihira M, Shiohira Y, Iseki K, Ishida H, Tanabe K

Received 22 March 2017

Accepted for publication 18 July 2017

Published 27 September 2017 Volume 2017:9 Pages 43—48

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/TRRM.S137727

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3

Editor who approved publication: Professor Qing Yi



Kazuma Tsujimura,1 Morihito Ota,1 Kiyoshi Chinen,1 Kiyomitsu Nagayama,2 Masato Oroku,2 Morikuni Nishihira,2 Yoshiki Shiohira,2 Kunitoshi Iseki,3 Hideki Ishida,4 Kazunari Tanabe4

1Department of Surgery, 2Department of Nephrology, 3Clinical Research Support Center, Tomishiro Central Hospital, Okinawa, Japan; 4Department of Urology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan


Background: There are limited reports on the use of everolimus for maintaining immunosuppression in ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation (KT). As everolimus (EVR) is effective for preventing calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) nephrotoxicity without increasing the risk of chronic rejection and viral infection, we aimed to assess the efficacy of EVR in ABOi KT.
Patients and methods: We retrospectively studied 22 patients who underwent KT and received EVR. Patients in the ABOi KT group (n=7) were compared with those in the ABO-compatible kidney transplantation group (ABOc KT; n=15). We recorded the frequency of CNI nephrotoxicity, chronic rejection, and viral infection in the 2 groups.
Results: CNI nephrotoxicity, chronic rejection, and viral infection occurred in the ABOi KT and ANOc KT groups at rates of 28.3% (2/7 patients) and 13.3% (2/15 patients) (P=0.388), 28.3% (2/7 patients) and 26.7% (4/15 patients) (P=0.926), and 14.3% (1/7 patients) and 26.7% (4/15 patients) (P=0.517), respectively.
Conclusion: Administration of EVR is effective in preventing CNI nephrotoxicity after KT. The rate of CNI nephrotoxicity was lower in the ABOc KT group than in the ABOi KT group. The rate of chronic rejection and viral infection was comparable between the groups. This study was conducted in a small cohort of patients. Hence, further evaluation with large sample sizes is necessary in the future to confirm the outcomes.

Keywords: blood group incompatibility, immunosuppression, kidney transplantation

Background

In Japan, the number of deceased kidney transplantations (KTs) has decreased, while the number of living donor KTs has increased, and living donor KTs currently account for about 90% of all transplantations. Among living donor KTs, ABO-incompatible (ABOi) KTs have been widely performed, and they account for about 30% of living donor KTs.1 In the United States, 738 (0.94%) ABOi KTs were performed between 1995 and 2010, and this number has been increasing annually.2 A similar trend has been observed in the United Kingdom, and over the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of ABOi KTs from <10 to 73 per year, currently representing about 7% of all living donor KTs.3 The number of ABOi KTs has been increasing worldwide, including in Japan.

After KT, immunosuppressive therapy with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) is extensively used as a maintenance regimen. Their use has decreased the acute rejection rate and has improved short-term patient survival and graft survival.4 However, in the long term, CNIs are associated with chronic graft dysfunction owing to CNI nephrotoxicity, risks of malignancy, and cardiovascular issues.5,6 CNI nephrotoxicity is a significant side effect because it can cause graft dysfunction. Everolimus (EVR) is commonly used in KTs in order to prevent the side effects of CNIs.

Previous literature reported ABOi KTs involving a de novo EVR-based regimen.7 However, there are limited reports on the use of EVR for maintenance immunosuppression in ABOi KTs. As EVR is effective for preventing CNI nephrotoxicity without increasing the risk of chronic rejection and viral infection, we aimed to assess the efficacy of EVR in ABOi KT.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively studied 22 patients who underwent KTs and received EVR between January 2013 and December 2015 at Tomishiro Central Hospital. Approval for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Tomishiro Central Hospital. All participants were given adequate verbal instructions, and they provided written informed consent.

In the induction phase, tacrolimus (TAC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), methylprednisolone (MP), and basiliximab (Basi) were administered in ABOi KTs and ABO-compatible (ABOc) KTs. In addition, rituximab (Rit) was administered and plasmapheresis was performed in ABOi and highly sensitive KTs. Oral administration of TAC, MMF, and MP was initiated 2 weeks before transplantation in ABOi KTs and 1 week before transplantation in ABOc KTs. Oral administration of TAC was started at 0.1 mg/kg/d. The dose of TAC was adjusted to yield a trough concentration of 6–8 ng/mL within 1 month postoperatively, and then, the dose was reduced to maintain a target trough concentration of 5–7 ng/mL 3 months after KT. Administration of MMF was started at a dose of 1,000 mg/d, and the dose was increased to 2,000 mg/d from KT to 2 months after KT. The dose was then tapered to 1,000 mg/d at 3 months after KT. Administration of MP was started at a dose of 8 mg/d, and the dose was changed to 250 mg/d on the day of KT. The dose was then reduced and maintained at 4 mg/d for 1 month postoperatively. Basi (20 mg) was administered at KT and on postoperative day 4. Rit (200 mg) was administered 1 week before KT. The immunosuppressive regimen in our institution is summarized in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Immunosuppressive regimens and desensitization protocols.

Abbreviations: ABOi, ABO-incompatible; Basi, basiliximab; C0, trough concentration; EVR, everolimus; KT, kidney transplantation; MMF, mycophenolate mofetil; MP, methylprednisolone; Rit, rituximab; TAC, tacrolimus.

To standardize EVR administration, the following criteria were used: 1) the recipient did not have donor-specific antigens before KT; 2) the recipient did not have infection, uncontrollable hyperlipidemia, and proteinuria (>800 mg/d) after KT; 3) acute rejection was not observed on protocol biopsy 3 months after KT.

Furthermore, we reduced the TAC dose upon EVR initiation. The dose of TAC was tapered to maintain a target trough concentration of 1.5–3 ng/mL, and the dose of EVR was adjusted to maintain a target trough concentration of 3–8 ng/mL.

EVR was administered in all 22 study patients after 3 months postoperatively. Patients in the ABOi KT group (n=7) were compared to those in the ABOc KT group (n=15). We evaluated the serum creatinine (Scr) level, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), frequency of CNI nephrotoxicity, chronic rejection, viral infections, malignancy, and adverse events in the 2 groups. We calculated the eGFR using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula.

According to our institutional policy, protocol biopsies were performed in all patients after obtaining written consent at 3 months after KT and every year thereafter. Additional biopsies were obtained when renal graft function was impaired or BK virus viremia developed. Renal biopsy samples were evaluated by a specialist nephropathologist. Chronic rejection and CNI nephrotoxicity were determined according to the diagnostic criteria proposed at the 2013 Banff Conference.19 We included borderline change for chronic rejection. CNI nephrotoxicity was defined a priori by the appearance of de novo arteriolar hyalinosis.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was assessed using the antigenemia method (C7-HRP) once every 2 weeks within 3 months of KT and once every month thereafter in all recipients. The diagnosis of BK polyomavirus (BKV) infection was based on the finding of viral DNA in the plasma using polymerase chain reaction and the presence of histologic features in combination with positive staining for SV40.

Hyperlipidemia was defined as the use and requirement of one or more hypolipidemic drugs. The definition of proteinuria positivity was a protein-to-creatinine (Cr) ratio ≥150 mg/gCr.

Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). For statistical analysis, the unpaired t-test and χ2 test were used to compare differences between the ABOi KT and ABOc KT groups. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. All statistical analyses were performed using JMP software, version 11.0 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA).

Results

The characteristics of the patients in the ABOi KT and ABOc KT groups are presented in Table 1. The ABOi KT group included 5 men and 2 women (mean age, 49.0±7.1 years; Rit administration, 7 of 7 patients (100%); mean EVR administration period, 31.3±9.6 months; mean EVR dose, 4.21±0.90 ng/mL). The ABOc KT group included 8 men and 7 women (mean age, 45.8±17.0 years; Rit administration, 2 of 15 patients (13.3%); mean EVR administration period, 27.1±10.3 months; mean EVR dose, 4.77±1.51 ng/mL). All patient characteristics, except for Rit administration, did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.

Table 1 Patient characteristics

Note: Data are presented as mean ± SD (range).

Abbreviations: ABOc, ABO-compatible; ABOi, ABO-incompatible; EVR, everolimus; KT, kidney transplantation; Rit, rituximab; SD, standard deviation; TAC, tacrolimus.

The outcomes of patients treated with EVR in the 2 groups are shown in Table 2. In the ABOi KT group, the mean Scr levels and eGFR before and after EVR administration were 1.20±0.29 mg/dL and 1.25±0.39 mg/dL, and 62.9±19.0 and 63.6±26.8 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. In the ABOc KT group, the mean Scr levels and eGFR before and after EVR administration were 1.33±0.54 mg/dL and 1.28±0.54 mg/dL, and 60.9±23.9 and 63.7±23.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. The mean Scr levels and eGFR did not differ significantly before and after EVR administration in the 2 groups. Graft survival rate was 100% in both groups. CNI nephrotoxicity occurred in 2 of 7 patients (28.3%) in the ABOi KT group and 2 of 15 patients (13.3%) in the ABOc KT group (P=0.388). Chronic rejection occurred in 2 of 7 patients (28.3%) in the ABOi KT group and in 4 of 15 patients (26.7%) in the ABOc KT group (P=0.926). Viral infections occurred in 1 of 7 patients (14.3%) in the ABOi KT group and in 4 of 15 patients (26.7%) in the ABOc KT group (P=0.517). With regard to viral infections, in the ABOi KT group, BKV infection occurred in only 1 patient, and in the ABOc KT group, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections occurred in 1 and 4 patients, respectively (1 patient had multiple infections). Malignancy was not noted in any patient from the 2 groups.

Table 2 Outcome of patients treated with EVR

Note: Data are presented as mean ± SD (range).

Abbreviations: ABOc, ABO-compatible; ABOi, ABO-incompatible; CNI, calcineurin inhibitor; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; EVR, everolimus; Scr, serum creatinine; SD, standard deviation.

Adverse events that occurred with EVR in the 2 groups are shown in Table 3. Hyperlipidemia that required statin drug administration was the most common adverse event of EVR and occurred in 4 of 7 patients (57.1%) in the ABOi KT group and 11 of 15 patients (73.3%) in the ABOc KT group (P=0.448). With regard to other adverse events, pedal edema, stomatitis, and proteinuria occurred in the 2 groups. However, severe adverse events did not occur in the 2 groups.

Table 3 Adverse events occurring with EVR in the 2 groups

Abbreviations: ABOc, ABO-compatible; ABOi, ABO-incompatible; EVR, everolimus; KT, kidney transplantation.

Discussion

There is sufficient evidence to indicate that a low-dose CNI with an mTOR inhibitor is safe and effective in the long term.8 We started to administer EVR in our institution in accordance with previously mentioned criteria in ABOi and ABOc KTs. As our institution had limited experience with the use of EVR, recipients selected based on the criteria had a low risk of acute rejection and low risk of adverse events of EVR, such as hyperlipidemia and proteinuria.

In Japan, the 10-year graft survival rates for deceased donor transplants were 51.4% and 71.1% from 1983 to 2000 and 2001 to 2009, respectively. The 10-year graft survival rates for living donor transplants were 69.1% and 87.0% from 1983 to 2000 and 2001 to 2009, respectively.1 In the United States, among deceased donor kidney transplant recipients, the probability of all-cause graft failure at 10 years after transplantation decreased from 59% in 1996 to 55% in 2003. Similarly, for living donor kidney transplant recipients, the probability of all-cause graft failure at 10 years after transplantation decreased from 43% in 1996 to 40% in 2003.9 Globally, graft survival has continued to improve in recent years. It is very important to avoid graft dysfunction after KT in the long term. Accordingly, administration of EVR is useful to avoid CNI nephrotoxicity associated with chronic graft dysfunction after KT. In this study, CNI nephrotoxicity occurred in 2 of 7 patients (28.3%) in the ABOi KT group and 2 of 15 patients (13.3%) in the ABOc group. The rate of CNI nephrotoxicity tended to be lower in the ABOc KT group than in the ABOi KT group; however, the rate of CNI nephrotoxicity did not differ significantly between the groups (P=0.388). Additionally, the Scr level after EVR administration did not differ between the ABOi KT group and ABOc KT group (P=0.894). We consider that administration of EVR is more useful in ABOi KT than in ABOc KT for 2 reasons.

First, we consider that administration of EVR after ABOi KT prevents viral infection. The risk of infection is higher in ABOi KT patients than in ABOc KT patients. In ABOi KT, generally, Rit (anti-CD20 antibody) is administered or splenectomy and plasmapheresis are performed. Therefore, immunosuppression is often more intense in ABOi KT patients than in ABOc KT patients. Habicht et al10 confirmed a significantly higher rate of viral infections in ABOi KT patients than in ABOc KT patients. The rate of viral infections, including CMV, HSV, VZV, and BKV, have been reported to be significantly higher in the ABOi KT group (50%) than in the ABOc KT group (21%) (P=0.038). In the present study, the rate of viral infections, including CMV, HSV, VZV, and BKV, in the ABOi KT and ABOc KT groups was 14.3% and 26.7%, respectively. The rate of viral infection did not differ between the groups; however, the rate tended to be lower in the ABOi KT group than in the ABOc KT group. The rates of viral infection among the ABOi KT and ABOc KT patients in the present study were lower than the rates among recipients who did not receive EVR in previous studies.

Second, we consider that the risk of malignancy is higher in ABOi KT patients than in ABOc KT patients. In a previous multivariate analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database, the incidence of posttransplant malignancies was assessed in 33,249 patients.11 The results showed that the incidence of de novo malignancies was lower in patients receiving sirolimus or EVR, either alone or in combination with a CNI, than in patients receiving CNI therapy alone (P<0.05).11 Yamamoto et al12 compared the risk of malignancy between ABOi KT and ABOc KT and found that there was no significant difference in the incidence of malignancy between ABOi KT and ABOc KT (4.8% and 4.2%). The median follow-up time was 48 months. Similarly, Hall et al13 compared the risk of malignancy between ABOi KT and ABOc KT. The authors found that there was no difference in the overall cancer risk between ABOi KT and ABOc KT when considering the unadjusted incidence rate ratio (0.83%) or the matched incidence rate ratio (0.99%) analysis. The median follow-up time was 2 years. In these reports, there was no significant difference in the incidence of malignancy between ABOi KT and ABOc KT. However, further research with long-term follow-up is necessary, to adequately assess the risk of malignancy in ABOi KT. The current graft survival term is relatively long in ABOi KT patients. A previous study reported that the 9-year graft survival rate in ABOi KT patients was 86.9% from 2005 to 2013.14 The graft survival time in ABOi KT patients might continue to increase. Therefore, in the long term, it is important that we consider the risk of malignancy in ABOi KT. In this study, there was no case of malignancy in the ABOi KT and ABOc KT groups. Because the observation period was short, we should continue to check for the occurrence of malignancy in transplant recipients in the future.

Among the adverse events of EVR, one adverse event that occurs with sirolimus and EVR treatment is hyperlipidemia, and increased serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels have been reported in 30%–50% of patients.15 In the present study, the rates of hyperlipidemia in the ABOi KT and ABOc KT groups were 57.1% and 73.3%, respectively. The rate of hyperlipidemia was higher in the present study than in previous reports, and it could be controlled with statin drugs. With regard to other adverse events, pedal edema and stomatitis occurred at a relatively high rate. However, severe adverse events of EVR did not occur in the 2 groups.

Recipients in the ABOi KT and ABOc KT groups started treatment with EVR at a mean of 8 and 6 months, respectively, in the present study. The time at which EVR treatment should be started is not clear. In a previous study, recipients who started treatment with EVR within 12 months after transplantation showed an improvement in the eGFR at 12 months compared to the eGFR at baseline.16 It is known that in desensitized patients, surgical complications, especially wound healing complications, are more common.10,17,18 If recipients start treatment with EVR before transplantation and immediately after transplantation, wound healing complications might become a problem. Therefore, treatment with EVR should be started within 6–12 months.

Conclusion

Administration of EVR is effective in preventing CNI nephrotoxicity after KT. The rate of CNI nephrotoxicity was lower in the ABOc KT group than in the ABOi KT group. The rate of chronic rejection and viral infection was comparable in both groups. This study was conducted on a small cohort. Hence, we need further evaluation and confirmation with a large sample size in the future.

Acknowledgments

We thank Ms. Shoko Nakaema for providing valuable advice and support. We also thank Editage (www.editage.jp) for English language editing.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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