Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors Vs Calcineurin Inhibitors in Chronic Graft Rejection After Lung Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACT Background The number of lung transplantations has been rising constantly. However, use of this therapeutic resource is limited by several issues that are difficult to resolve, such as chronic graft rejection and complications secondary to immunosuppression. Methods This systematic review compared mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor immunosuppression associated with low-dose calcineurin inhibitors with isolated calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppression on the new-onset chronic rejection development and mortality 12 months after lung transplantation. Three controlled randomized clinical trials (SHITRIT, NOCTET, and 4EVERLUNG) were selected from electronic databases. Results Meta-analysis of the data at 12 months postintervention showed that only 4EVERLUNG assessed chronic graft rejection, with a higher incidence in the control group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = .197). Significant data were related to an increase in the number of adverse events (P = .0064) and improved renal function (P Conclusions The researchers suggest considering the use of mTOR inhibitors, whose greatest benefit is felt by patients with renal dysfunction, in association with the use of calcineurin inhibitors, because of the imminent risk of death among patients with renal failure.