Calcineurin inhibitor minimization, withdrawal and avoidance protocols after kidney transplantation

A nonquantitative summary of the current evidence suggests that calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) minimization and also CNI-free protocols are safe and efficient when used after the initial 3 months post-transplantation. In fact, the largest study so far showed that low-dose CNI in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroids performed better than standard dose cyclosporine A (CsA). If CsA is used in combination with a mammalian target of rapamycin-Inhibitor (mTOR-I) considerable dose reduction of both drugs is required. A better choice than using both drug groups in lower doses together may be the withdrawal of CsA from this combination after 3-12 months. Later withdrawals or conversions to an mTOR-I failed to show additional benefit in terms of graft function or survival but caused less post-transplant malignancies. With improved short- and medium-term outcomes, this entity will become more of an issue. In fact, in some areas of the world, nowadays malignancies are the leading cause of death.