Lung transplants with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil: a review

Traditionally, immunosuppressive maintenance therapy in solid organ transplantation has consisted of cyclosporine (CsA), azathioprine, and prednisone. However, lung transplant recipients are far more frequently affected by acute rejection, especially during the first 6 months after the transplantation, than patients with other transplanted organs. Further, they display a greater risk for chronic transplant dysfunction and ultimate graft loss. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality among long-term survivors after lung transplantation. Acute pulmonary allograft rejection has been identified as the major risk factor for the development of BOS. Based on favourable results in kidney, liver, and heart transplantation, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil have been used as primary prophylaxis and as rescue therapy for recurrent or persistent acute rejection and BOS. A secondary indication is CsA toxicity. This review focuses on reported results of the combination of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil in lung transplantation. These new immunosuppressive drugs have markedly improved the efficacy profiles without additional detrimental toxicities, and appear to be a safe alternative to CsA and azathioprine in patients following lung transplantation. However, at present, BOS is not influenced by these new drugs. The optimal long-term immunosuppressive regimen remains to be established.