OUTCOME IN CADAVERIC RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS TREATED WITH CYCLOSPORINE-A AND MYCOPHENOLATE-MOFETIL VERSUS CYCLOSPORINE-A AND AZATHIOPRINE

Background. Recent multicenter reports have demonstrated improved outc ome in recipients of cadaveric renal transplants treated with mycophen olate mofetil (MMF) versus azathioprine (AZA) in combination with cycl osporine A (CSA) and prednisone. We compared the outcome at our center in patients treated with MMF versus AZA, CSA, and prednisone. Methods . We retrospectively reviewed 242 adult cadaveric renal transplant rec ipients treated between 11/91 and 5/97. We compared 25 donor variables and 27 recipient variables and outcome parameters between patients tr eated with MMF versus AZA There were 117 patients treated with CSA+AZS 84 with CSA+MMF, and 42 who received other immunosuppressive strategi es. Results. There were no significant differences in any clinically i mportant donor variables. Patients treated with MMF versus AZA and CSA had significantly fewer rejections and readmissions. There was no sig nificant difference in 1- or 2-year patient survival. Recipients treat ed with MMF had a 5% higher graft survival at 2 years, although the di fference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions. Outcome is improved in adult recipients of cadaveric renal transplants treated with MMF versus AZA in combination with CSA and prednisone. (C) 1998 Academic Press.