MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL MONOTHERAPY IN STABLE LIVER TRANSPLANT PATIENTS WITH CYCLOSPORINE-INDUCED RENAL IMPAIRMENT

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Abstract
Background. Cyclosporine is the most common maintenance immunosuppressant in liver transplants patients, but it is often associated with nephrotoxicity. Methods. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of monotherapy with mycophenolate mofetil (1 g twice daily) in five stable liver transplant patients with cyclosporine-induced renal impairment despite reduction of cyclosporine to subtherapeutic levels. Follow-up was 8.4±2.4 (range: 6-12) months. Results. No major side effects have been observed to date. Serum creatinine levels were significantly reduced from a median of 201 μmol/L before to 142 μmol/L at 3 months after mycophenolate (P=0.04) and remained low at 6 months. New onset cellular rejection occurred in only one patient after 3 months on mycophenolate monotherapy, and it responded completely to an intravenous course of methylprednisolone. Conclusions. Monotherapy with mycophenolate mofetil in a dose of 1 g twice daily seems to significantly improve cyclosporine-induced renal impairment in stable liver transplant patients without major side effects or significant risk of rejection.