Recommendations for the use of everolimus in de novo kidney transplantation: false beliefs, myths and realities

Pascual Santos, Julio; Diekmann, Fritz; Fernández-Rivera, Constantino; Gómez-Marqués, Gonzalo; Gutiérrez-Dalmau, Alex; Pérez-Sáez, María José; Sancho-Calabuig, Asunción; Oppenheimer, Federico

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nefro.2016.11.007

Recommendations for the use of everolimus in de novo kidney transplantation: false beliefs, myths and realities

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Pascual J, Diekmann F, Fernández-Rivera C, Gómez-Marqués G, Gutiérrez-Dalmau A, Pérez-Sáez MJ. Et al. Recommendations for the use of everolimus in de novo kidney transplantation: False beliefs, myths and realities. Nefrologia. 2017 May - Jun;37(3):253-266. DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2016.11.007

Abstract

The immunosuppressive combination most commonly used in de novo kidney transplantation comprises a calcineurin inhibitor (CI), tacrolimus, a mycophenolic acid derivative and steroids. The evidence which underlies this practice is based in the Symphony trial with controlled follow-up of one year, in which no comparator group included the combination CI-mTOR inhibitor. Different high-quality clinical trials support the use of everolimus as a standard immunosuppressive drug associated with reduced exposure of a CI in kidney transplantation. This combination could improve health related outcomes in kidney transplantation recipients. The present recommendations constitute an attempt to summarise the scientific evidence supporting this practice, discuss false beliefs, myths and facts, and offer specific guidelines for safe use, avoiding complications.