Long-term results of calcineurin-free protocols with basiliximab induction in 'old-to-old' programs

Introduction EuroTransplant old-to-old program allows patients older than 60 years to receive offers from donors older than 60. The long-term results of kidney transplantation in this model are still under discussion, due to the impaired kidney function of the donor and cumulative diseases in the recipient. Hypothesis Calcineurin-sparing protocols with IL-2 antibody induction (Simulect) may benefit long-term kidney function in these patients avoiding overimmunosuppression. The main outcome measures are: graft function and rejection rate during the first year after transplant. Patients and methods A cohort of 15 consecutive older subjects were prospectively compared with 30 conventional cadaveric kidney transplants. Study patients were induced with Simulect (20 mg, 30 minutes before reperfusion and 4 days after transplantation) and steroids allowing the introduction of CsA to be delayed to the time at which the creatinine is below 3 mg/dL. Conventional patients were immunosuppresed with Tacrolimus (trough 8–12 ng/mL), MMF (1 g/d) and identical steroid tape. The graft and patient survival, kidney function in terms of diuresis, creatinine clearance, rejection episodes and grades were compared between both groups during the first year posttransplantation. Results Except for the age of the donors and recipients in both groups (72 vs 54 in donors, and 67 versus 52 years in recipients), no significant differences were observed. Patient survival rates were 97% in control patients and 100% in the Simulect group. Graft survival was 97% in the control group and 100% in the old-to-old study group. Acute rejection episodes were decreased among study patients (6.6% vs 13.2%), and corticoid sparing protocols were applied in 75% of Simulect patients but only 50% of control patients. All 44 patients and grafts showed excellent kidney function after one year with equal creatinine levels in both groups (mean 1.42). Conclusions Calcineurin free protocols with IL-2 therapy as the main initial suppression allows patients in an old-to-old ET program to have superior results to conventional cadaveric kidney transplants.