Tacrolimus (FK506) versus cyclosporine microemulsion (Neoral) as maintenance immunosuppression therapy in kidney transplant recipients

The effects of the calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporine (Neoral) on graft survival, function, and metabolic profile were evaluated in 69 patients receiving Neoral (group 1) and 54 patients receiving FK506 (group 2) for maintenance immunosuppression following kidney transplantation. Recipient and donor demographics and induction therapy were comparable, except for a higher number of sensitized patients in group 2 (n = 13). Acute rejection timing, severity, and infection rates and types were similar in both groups. During hospitalization, at 6 months, and at 1 year following transplantation, no significant differences were noted between groups in fasting glucose, serum cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, or need for insulin or antihypertensive therapy. Mean serum creatinine levels on discharge (1.42 mg/dL +/- 0.14 vs 1.68 mg/dL +/- 0.3), at 1 month (1.45 mg/dL +/- 0.1 vs 1.39 mg/dL +/- 0.11), 3 months (1.46 mg/dL +/- 0.09 vs 1.32 mg/dL +/- 0.14), and 1 year (1.29 mg/dL +/- 0.08 vs 1.19 mg/dL +/- 0.09), but not at 6 months (1.42 +/- 0.37 vs 1.10 +/- 0.07; P = .001), were comparable between groups. The 1-year patient and graft survival rates were 98.3% for group 1 and 94.5% for group 2. When evaluated for acute rejection, infection, and metabolic differences, we conclude that both tacrolimus and cyclosporine are effective and safe calcineurin inhibitors for short-term use in kidney transplantation. A similar study is proposed to evaluate the long-term effects of both agents.