Metabolic changes following conversion from an anticalcineurin-based therapy to an everolimus-based one: a...

Everolimus (EVL), an antagonist of mammalian target of rapamycin, has been recently introduced into solid organ transplantation either associated with low dose of anticalcineurins (CNI) or replacing them in an attempt to avoid nephrotoxicity and chronic allograft nephropathy. Due to the molecular similarities with sirolimus, it has been expected that there would be the same incidence of metabolic changes and adverse events. We retrospectively studied kidney allograft recipients converted from CNI to EVL during a 12-month period. Patients received a standard dose of EVL starting at 1.5 mg/d and thereafter titrating to achieve trough levels in the range of 3 to 5 ng/mL. Patients achieved mean EVL trough levels of 5.2, 4.0 and 4.5 ng/mL at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively. One year following conversion, the calculated creatinine clearance increased from 57 to 63 mL/min and proteinuria did not change. Fasting blood glucose levels decreased significantly following conversion to EVL. During the same time, no significant changes were observed in body weight, body mass index, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipid-lowering medication requirements, blood magnesium, and uric acid. We concluded that EVL did not negatively influence various nutritional parameters.