Comparison of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium with mycophenolate mofetil in living renal allograft...

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Immunosuppression
• Transplantation Medicine

Background:

• Enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (MPS) was developed to mitigate gastrointestinal (GI) side effects associated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).
• Renal transplantation requires effective immunosuppression to prevent graft rejection.
• Optimizing immunosuppressive regimens for safety and efficacy is crucial in post-transplant care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the safety and efficacy of enteric-coated MPS versus MMF in living renal transplant recipients.
• To evaluate differences in rejection rates, infection incidence, and toxicities between MPS and MMF groups.
• To assess patient and graft survival rates in patients receiving either MPS or MMF.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 112 living renal transplant recipients was conducted.
• Patients were divided into two groups: Group A received MPS (n=53) and Group B received MMF (n=59).
• All patients received concomitant cyclosporine and prednisolone; follow-up averaged 11.6-12.6 months.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in rejection episodes (20.7% vs. 20.3%), CMV disease (9.61% vs. 10.1%), or other infections (88.7% vs. 74.7%) between MPS and MMF groups.
• Incidence of GI (18.9% vs. 20.3%) and hematologic toxicities were similar between the groups.
• Patient survival was 91.9% for MPS and 91.3% for MMF, while graft survival was 86.6% for MPS and 91.3% for MMF, with no statistically significant differences.

Conclusions:

• Mycophenolate sodium (MPS) serves as a viable alternative immunosuppressant to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in kidney transplant recipients.
• MPS demonstrates a comparable safety and efficacy profile to MMF.
• The study supports the use of MPS in renal transplant protocols.