Elective withdrawal of mycophenolate mofetil in renal transplant recipients treated with mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, and prednisone

In a retrospective study we investigated the risk of acute rejection after the withdrawal of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in 39 adult patients treated with cyclosporine (CyA), prednisone, and MMF for at least 6 months followin g renal transplantation. After reaching a stable renal graft function, MMF was withdrawn and CyA and prednisone were continued. Preceding the withdraw al of MMF, four patients experienced an acute rejection. During a median fo llow-up of 38 months after discontinuing MMF, no acute rejection occurred. The mean serum creatinine level did not change during the first 6 months af ter withdrawal of MMF. We conclude that elective withdrawal of MMF in stabl e renal transplant recipients at 6 months after transplantation bears no im portant risk of an occurrence of acute rejection.