A randomized trial of intensified vs. standard dosing for enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in de novo kidney transplant recipients: results at 1 year.

In a 6-month prospective, openlabel, multicenter study, 128 de novo kidney transplant patients receiving cyclosporine (CsA) and steroids were randomized to an intensified regimen of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) or to a standard EC-MPS regimen to Week 6 posttransplant, after which the regimen was identical. In a follow-up study to Month 12 post-transplant (49 intensified regimen, 52 standard regimen), the reduced rate of BPAR observed at Month 6 (intensified regimen 3.2%, standard regimen 16.9%, p = 0.016) was maintained at Month 12 (4.8% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.026). Estimated GFR (Cockcroft-Gault) at Month 12 was comparable in the intensified group (mean (SD) 54.8 (22.9) ml/min) vs. the standard group (mean (SD) 57.5 (23.6) ml/min, p = 0.83). The incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events at Month 12 was similar in both treatment groups, although adverse events with a suspected relation to study drug were reported in 69.8% and 50.8% of patients in the intensified and standard regimen groups, respectively (p = 0.032). Infections and hematological parameters were similar between groups. In conclusion, an early regimen of intensified EC-MPS with CsA and steroids achieves a low rate of BPAR over the first year after kidney transplantation with similar renal function to a standard regimen, and without a clinically relevant impact on safety.

Safety and efficacy of intensified versus standard dosing regimens of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium in de novo renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Efficacy and safety of an intensified dosing (ID) regimen of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), which achieves higher mycophenolic acid exposure early posttransplantation, were evaluated in comparison with a standard dosing (SD) regimen. METHODS: In total, 128 de novo kidney transplant recipients treated with basiliximab induction, cyclosporine A, and steroids were randomized (1:1) to receive EC-MPS as SD (1440 mg/day; n=65) or ID (days 0-14: 2880 mg/day; days 15-42: 2160 mg/day; followed by 1440 mg/day; n=63). Efficacy parameters, safety, and tolerability were assessed over a 6-month study period. The primary endpoint was mean time to first occurrence of treatment failure. RESULTS: Mean time to treatment failure was 130 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 81-n/a) in the ID group versus 114 days (95% CI: 15-155) in the SD group (P=0.36). Similar percentages (ID 30.2%; SD 36.9%) experienced treatment failure. Biopsy-proven acute rejection occurred in 2 (3.2%) ID versus 11 (16.9%) SD patients (P<0.001). Three (2.3%) deaths (2 SD, 1 ID) and five (3.9%) graft losses (3 SD, 2 ID) occurred. Renal function, incidence of infection, and hematologic disorders were comparable in both study cohorts. Gastrointestinal disorders occurred in 51 (81.0%) ID and 49 (75.4%) SD patients with overall similar tolerability as assessed by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. CONCLUSION: In this exploratory study, the EC-MPS ID regimen reduced the incidence of rejection and showed a comparable safety and tolerability profile to SD. Further examination of this approach in a larger patient cohort is now warranted to confirm these findings.