Tacrolimus Compared With Cyclosporine Microemulsion in Primary Simultaneous Pancreas–Kidney Transplantation: The EURO-SPK 3-Year Results

The long‐term survival of simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant with basiliximab induction therapy

“…As a result, T‐cell depleting antibodies were widely used as induction therapy to prevent acute rejection episodes (5, 6). Newer and more potent immunosuppressive agents have successfully decreased the incidence of acute rejection and improved the outcomes in SPK recipients (2–8). Compared with azathioprine, MMF decreased rejection episodes and improved both kidney and pancreas survival rates with CsA‐based regimen in SPK transplant (5, 6).…”

“…Compared with azathioprine, MMF decreased rejection episodes and improved both kidney and pancreas survival rates with CsA‐based regimen in SPK transplant (5, 6). Recent studies suggest that TAC is even more effective than CsA‐microemulsion, providing lower incidence of acute rejection, decreasing the severity of rejection, and increasing pancreas graft survival rates (7, 8). As a result, the combination of TAC, MMF and steroid has become the most common maintenance immunotherapy (2–4), and has been used in our transplant center since 1997 as the primary maintenance therapy.…”

“…In addition to T‐cell depleting induction strategies, the introduction of alternative potent immunosuppressive agents has contributed to the decreased incidence of acute rejection and the improved patient and graft survivals in SPK recipients (2–8). The independent use of either mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (5, 6) or tacrolimus (TAC) (7, 8) was found to have advantages over azathioprine or CsA respectively. The combination of TAC, MMF, and steroid has become the most common maintenance therapy in SPK recipients (2–4).…”

In Vitro Diffusion of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus Through Human and Rabbit Corneas

“…The safety profile and toxicities of CsA and TAC have been found to be completely different. [2][3][4][5][6][7] TAC, which is also known by its experimental name, FK506, is a novel and potent immunosuppressant that acts by inhibition of T-lymphocyte proliferation. It is currently employed therapeutically for the topical treatment of psoriasis, pyoderma gangrenosum, lichen planus, graft-versus-host disease, alopecia areata, allergic contact dermatitis, acnea rosacea, and pigmentary keratitis (veterinary ophthalmology), as well as ocular immunemediated diseases.…”

The Day When Infection Is Confirmed Is a Better Time Point for Mortality Prediction in Patients With Severe Acute Pancreatitis

“…Clinical studies indicate that FK506-based immunosuppression has improved pancreas allograft survival, when compared with CsA-based therapy, even under optimal immunosuppressive CsA dosage. 7,8 The difference in graft survival between CsA and FK506 is difficult to understand if one assumes that both CsA and FK506 inhibit calcineurin phosphatase and suggests that the adverse effects of the drugs may be responsible for this difference. Acute graft pancreatitis is observed in up to 20% of all patients and may lead to a loss of the transplanted pancreas.…”