Clinical outcomes after switch to mTOR inhibitors in kidney transplant recipients / Resultados clínicos en receptores de trasplante renal posterior a la conversión a ImTOR

Abstract Introduction: mTOR inhibitors Sirolimus and Everolimus are an alternative for inmunosuppression in renal transplant recipients. The aim of the study was to describe the experience of patients with switch to mTOR inhibitors, followed up for more than five years. Materials and methods: Patients with renal transplantation from 1995 to 2013, who had indication of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) withdrawl after the third month post-transplant were included. All patients underwent renal biopsy prior to conversion. No patient had a diagnosis of chronic nephtopathy, IFTA>40 % or proteinuria >350mg/24h. A descriptive analysis for all variables was devoloped. Kaplan-Meier method was used for the patient's and graft survival and graft rejection incidence. Results: From 1273 renal transplants, the switch from CNI to mTOR inhibitors was performed in 166 (13 %), 78 % (n=129) were switched to Sirolimus. 12,6 % of the patients lost graft function and 4,2 % (n=7) died. 37% had mTOR inhibitors withdrawal, and the major cause was pathologic proteinuria. The incidence of graft rejection after switching to mTOR inhibitors was 9,6 %. The one and five year graf survival was 96,6 % and 83,5 %. The patient survival at one and five years was 98 % and 97 %. Conclusions: The use of mTOR inhibitors drugs appears to be safe in the managgement of specific renal transplant recipients, with a low rejection rate and good survival.

Resumen Introducción: los ImTOR, sirolimus y everolimus son una alternativa de inmunosupresión en personas que han recibido transplantes renales. En este artículo, se describe la experiencia de pacientes que han experimentado una conversión a ImTOR, y a los que se les ha hecho un seguimiento por más de cinco años. Materiales y métodos: se incluyeron pacientes con transplantes renales desde 1995 hasta 2013, quienes tuvieron indicación de suspensión del inhibidor de calcineurina (ICN) después del tercer mes posterior al trasplante. Todos los pacientes fueron sometidos a biopsia renal antes de la administración de ImTOR. Ningún paciente tuvo diagnóstico de nefropatía crónica, IFTA >40 % o proteinuria >350 mg/24h. Se elaboró un análisis descriptivo para todas las variables. Para estudiar la supervivencia del paciente y del injerto, y la incidencia de rechazo agudo, se usó el método de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: de 1273 trasplantes renales, la conversión de ICN a ImTOR se realizó en 166 casos (13 %). Al 78 % (n=129) se le administró sirolimus. El 13 % de los pacientes perdió la función del injerto y 7 pacientes (4,2 %) fallecieron. En el 37 % de los casos, se retiró el ImTOR. La principal causa de retiro fue el hallazgo de proteinuria patológica. La incidencia de rechazo agudo después del cambio a ImTOR fue de 9,6 %. La supervivencia del injerto tras uno y cinco años fue de 96,6 % y 83,5 %, respectivamente; y la supervivencia del paciente a uno y cinco años fue de 98 % y 97 %, respectivamente. Conclusiones: el uso de inhibidores ImTOR parece ser seguro en este grupo de pacientes trasplantados, pues hubo una baja tasa de rechazo y buena supervivencia del injerto.

Consensus, Dilemmas, and Challenges in Living Donor Liver Transplantation in Latin America.

We reviewed the history, volume, outcomes, uniqueness, and challenges of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in Latin America. We used the data from the Latin American and Caribbean Transplant Society, local transplant societies, and opinions from local transplant experts. There are more than 160 active liver transplant teams in Latin America, but only 30 centers have used LDLT in the past 2 years. In 2014, 226 LDLTs were done in the region (8.5% of liver transplant activities). Living donor liver transplantation is mainly restricted to pediatric patients. Adult-to-adult LDLT activities decreased after the implementation of the model for end-stage liver disease score and a concomitant increase on the rate of deceased donors per million population. Posttransplant outcome analysis is not mandatory, transparent or regulated in most countries. More experienced teams have outcomes comparable to international expert centers, but donor and recipient morbidity might be underreported. Latin America lags behind in terms of the number of adult LDLT and the rate of living donor utilization in comparison with other continents with similar donation rates. Local alliances and collaborations with major transplant centers in the developed world will contribute to the development of LDLT in Latin America.