Beyond Borders: International Immunosuppression Practices in Pediatric Lung Transplantation

Current recommendations for lung transplantation immunosuppression do not explicitly target children, and many pharmacotherapies used in pediatrics are extrapolated from adults.

Data were collected from an anonymous survey distributed to International Pediatric Lung Transplant Collaborative (IPLTC) members from November 2023 to February 2024. Eligible participants included pediatric lung transplant physicians, pharmacists, or others with expertise in their lung transplant center's protocols. Participant and program demographics were surveyed, including location and transplant volume. Seventeen multiple-choice questions, text responses, and Likert scale statements covered the following: induction immunosuppression, maintenance immunosuppression, drug monitoring, dose optimization, and expert guidance available in current literature.

Among the 23 pediatric lung transplant healthcare professionals who responded, 13 respondents (57%) preferred using basiliximab as their standard induction immunosuppression. 3 (13%) prefer rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG), while 7 (30%) consider either rATG or basiliximab for induction. Of 22 responses with 100% completion, 21 of 22 (95.2%) respondents reported a combination of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and corticosteroids (CCS) as their preferred maintenance immunosuppression regimen, reflecting the suggested preferred regimen for pediatric lung transplantation. Feedback on the perception of available evidence-based or established guidelines revealed the majority (90.0%) of respondents found them to be insufficient for pediatrics.

This international survey highlights the variability in immunosuppression practices across pediatric lung transplant programs around the world. The findings underscore a gap in unified, evidence-based practice guidelines. With strong consensus among respondents on the lack of established guidelines, there is a clear directive for future research to establish standardized practices in pediatric lung transplantation.