BACKGROUND: Data on low-exposure calcineurin inhibitor therapy with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in de novo liver transplant patients are limited and restricted to tacrolimus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients receiving cyclosporine and MMF at a single center were identified retrospectively and categorized as low-exposure or standard-exposure CsA (median concentration <80 ng/mL [n=16] or ≥80 ng/mL [n=12] during days 1–7) and analyzed to 12 weeks post-transplant.

RESULTS: Biopsy-proven acute rejection (Banff ≥4) occurred in 3 low-CsA patients and no standard-CsA patients (p=0.238); graft failure occurred in 4 and zero patients, respectively (p=0.113); no graft loss was attributable to rejection. Mean (SD) estimated GFR at baseline and week 12 was 79.5 (45.3) and 79.3 (24.5) mL/min/1.73 m2 in the low-CsA group (p=0.508), and 106.0 (66.9) and 86.7 (23.2) mL/min/1.73 m2 in the standard-CsA group (p=0.093). Estimated GFR decreased significantly in patients with good baseline renal function (≥80 mL/min/1.73 m2) in the standard-CsA (p=0.028) and increased markedly in patients with poor function (≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2) given low-CsA (p=0.043). There was no significant between-group difference regarding incidence of infections.

CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that immunosuppressive efficacy is maintained with low-exposure CsA and MMF in de novo liver transplant patients and good baseline renal function may be better preserved, but no benefit for infections was observed.

Keywords: Cyclosporine, Immunosuppressive Agents, Liver Transplantation