Pilot Conversion Study From Mycophenolate Mofetil to Everolimus in Stable ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplant Recipients: Analysis of 1-Year Follow-Up Data

OBJECTIVES: Here, we report our 1-year follow-up data of stable ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients who converted from mycophenolate mofetil plus a standard dose of a calcineurin inhibitor to everolimus plus low exposure to calcineurin inhibitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 17 recipients of ABO-incompatible kidney transplant procedures performed at our institution. At baseline and at 3 and 12 months after conversion, graft biopsies were performed to check for acute rejection and C4d deposition. RESULTS: Treatment with everolimus was stopped due to adverse events in 8 patients (47.1%). Conversion to everolimus with calcineurin inhibitor minimization did not induce acute rejection or C4d deposition at 3 and 12 months after conversion in ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients in whom everolimus was maintained or stopped within 1 year after conversion. CONCLUSIONS: Everolimus elicited no acute rejection and no C4d deposition, whether everolimus was maintained or stopped within 1 year after conversion, in ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients.