Toxicities of tacrolimus and cyclosporin A after allogeneic blood stem cell transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplant. 1997 Dec;20(12):1095-8. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1701027.

Abstract

To determine how well tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporin A (CsA) are tolerated after HLA-identical blood stem cell transplantation, we performed a retrospective review of 87 adults transplanted consecutively who received FK506 (n = 40) or CsA (n = 47) in a nonrandomized fashion in combination with methylprednisolone for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis and compared the incidences of complications potentially related to the immunosuppressive agents. Pre-transplant demographic characteristics, drug compliance and rates of acute GVHD were comparable for the two groups. Following first discharge, fewer patients in the FK506 group required antihypertensive therapy (32 vs 59%, P = 0.022), but more required insulin (34 vs 10%, P = 0.014). There was also a trend for more hyperkalemia and less moderate-to-severe venoocclusive disease in the FK506 group. However, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and cytomegaloviral or fungal infections through the first 100 days post-transplant did not differ significantly between the two groups. We conclude that for allogeneic blood stem cell transplant recipients, the incidence of complications related to FK506 and CsA in equally effective dose schedules in combination with methylprednisolone are similar with the exception of the risks of hypertension and hyperglycemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / chemically induced
  • Acute Kidney Injury / epidemiology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / epidemiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / chemically induced*
  • Hyperglycemia / drug therapy
  • Hyperglycemia / epidemiology
  • Hyperkalemia / chemically induced
  • Hyperkalemia / epidemiology
  • Hypertension / chemically induced*
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Hypertension / epidemiology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Incidence
  • Infections / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Methylprednisolone / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seizures / chemically induced
  • Seizures / epidemiology
  • Tacrolimus / administration & dosage
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects*
  • Transplantation Conditioning / adverse effects
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Whole-Body Irradiation / adverse effects

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Tacrolimus
  • Methylprednisolone