Renal Function and NODM in De Novo Renal Transplant Recipients Treated with Standard and Reduced Levels of Tacrolimus in Combination with EC-MPS.

Information is lacking concerning concomitant administration of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium with tacrolimus (EC-MPS+Tac) in renal transplant recipients (RTxR). In this 6-month, prospective, open-label, multicenter study, de novo RTxR were randomized (1 : 1) to low-dose (LD) or standard-dose (SD) Tac with basiliximab, EC-MPS 720 mg bid, and steroids. Primary objective was to compare renal function at 6-month posttransplantation.

Ensuring competency: are fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery training and certification necessary for practicing surgeons and operating room personnel?

Background: Certification in fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) is required by the American board of surgery for graduating residents. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and need for certifying practicing surgeons and to assess proficiency of operating room (OR) personnel.

Methods: Through a patient safety and health care delivery effectiveness grant, investigators at four state medical schools received funding for FLS certification of all attending surgeons and OR personnel credentialed in laparoscopy.

Alemtuzumab (Campath 1H) induction with tacrolimus monotherapy is safe for high immunological risk renal transplantation.

Immunosuppression for immunologically high-risk renal transplant patients usually involves antithymocyte globulin induction with triple drug maintenance therapy. Alemtuzumab, a humanized anti-CD52 antibody, has shown promise in tolerogenic induction protocols, requiring minimal maintenance immunosuppression. In this prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled trial, we enrolled 21 high immunological risk patients (i.

Randomized controlled trial of FTY720 versus MMF in de novo renal transplantation.

Background: Phase II trials of FTY720, a novel immunomodulator, have shown promise in preventing rejection with both standard and reduced cyclosporine exposure. This study was designed to confirm those findings.

Methods: This one-year, multicenter, randomized, phase III study in 696 de novo renal transplant patients compared FTY720 5 mg plus reduced-dose cyclosporine (RDC) or FTY720 2.

Pretransplant soluble CD30 is a better predictor of posttransplant development of donor-specific antibodies and acute vascular rejection than panel reactive antibodies.

Background: This study tests a hypothesis that pretransplant concentration of soluble CD30 (sCD30) is a better predictor of posttransplant development of donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSA) and acute vascular rejection (AVR) than panel reactive HLA antibodies (PRA).

Methods: Pretransplant sera from 115 patients were evaluated for their PRA and sCD30 concentrations. All patients received calcineurin-inhibitor based immunosuppressive therapy.