Abstract
Sirolimus is an immunosuppressive agent that offers potentially significant benefits for young transplant patients facing life-long treatment. Its action of reducing cell proliferation may reduce the risk of chronic allograft nephropathy and posttransplant neoplasia. Twenty-nine children were converted from calcineurin inhibitors to sirolimus after renal transplantation and followed for a minimum of 12 months. Glomerular filtration increased transiently in those converted before 12 months after transplantation but not in those converted later, when chronic histological changes had developed. Mild acute rejection occurred after conversion in 10%, and side effects led to cessation of sirolimus in 31%. Anemia occurred in 55% of patients and responded well to darbepoetin. Most side effects (anemia, hypercholesterolemia, mouth ulcers, and myalgias) became less severe with time. The number of antihypertensive drugs required decreased significantly on sirolimus. Although side effects are frequent on sirolimus, in the majority of children, they are mild enough to allow the patient to continue taking the drug, and for these children the long-term benefits are potentially valuable.
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Acknowledgements
Author TK extracted the data for this report from the clinical records. Wyeth, the manufacturer of sirolimus, then made a financial donation to the hospital in acknowledgement of her time. The paper was written by the other authors who have no relationship with the company. The company was not aware of the data and was not shown the paper before submission for consideration for publication.
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This study is a retrospective review of our practice and therefore ethics committee approval was not sought.
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Powell, H.R., Kara, T. & Jones, C.L. Early experience with conversion to sirolimus in a pediatric renal transplant population. Pediatr Nephrol 22, 1773–1777 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-007-0571-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-007-0571-6