Overview of extended release tacrolimus in solid organ transplantation.

Tacrolimus (Prograf(©), Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd, Staines, United Kingdom; referred to as tacrolimus-BID) is an immunosuppressive agent to prevent and treat allograft rejection in kidney transplant recipients in combination with mycophenolate mofetil, corticosteroids, with or without basiliximab induction. The drug has also been studied in liver, heart and lung transplant; however, these are currently off-label indications. An extended release tacrolimus formulation (Advagraf(©), Astagraf XL(©)) allows for once-daily dosing, with the potential to improve adherence.

Subtherapeutic ganciclovir (GCV) levels and GCV-resistant cytomegalovirus in lung transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection results in significant morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients. Ganciclovir (GCV) has dramatically reduced complications caused by CMV infections. Unfortunately, GCV resistance is identified in 5-10% of CMV-infected patients.