Long-term outcome of adding mycophenolate mofetil to tacrolimus for nephrotoxicity following liver transplantation

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has no known nephrotoxicity. This report examines the outcome in patients who received MMF for renal impairment on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. From 1995 to 1996, twelve liver transplantation (LTx) patients (mean age 54.6 years) with serum creatinine >1.8 mg/dl were included in the study. MMF was introduced and tacrolimus dose was reduced by 30-50%. Each patient was followed for 6 years. Renal function showed improvement in seven patients, deterioration in four, and no change in one patient. Overall mean serum creatinine decreased from 2.5 to 1.9 mg/dl at 6 months but increased to 2.2 mg/dl at 18 to 24 months. After that, renal function remained stable for 72 months. Iothalamate clearance showed 18.5% improvement at 1 year. Three patients developed renal failure. Six patients died in the follow-up period. Addition of MMF with reduced tacrolimus dose resulted in sustained improvement in renal function in 58% of patients.