POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IMMUNOSUPPRESSION PROTOCOLS & MAINTENANCE IMMUNOSUPPRESSION A.K. Sharma MDSC175: Transplantation Science for Transplant Clinicians A MEMBER OF THE RUSSELL GROUP CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Immunosuppression Protocols 2 Historical Perspective In 1960s the maintenance immunosuppression was limited to total lymphoid irradiation, massive doses of steroid and azathioprine. It was rather non-specific and intense, and therefore, was associated with overwhelming metabolic, infective and wound related complications. Not many recipients of renal transplantation survived few months in that era. Departures Destination Live longer Via Kidney Tx Infection Cardio-vacular Cancer Immunosuppression Protocols 5 Clinical Immunosuppression • Three phases – a) Induction b) Maintenance c) Rescue therapy to treat acute rejection • Combinations to achieve lower doses fine balance between acute rejection and toxicity Immunosuppression Protocols 6 What are the targets? • Activation of T cell (CD4+ Th) needs 3 signal model • Several immunological targets at various steps Immunosuppression Protocols 7 Immunosuppression Protocols 8 Patients with higher risk of acute cellular rejection • Younger recipient age • Panel reactive antibody (PRA) level >20% • Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch, especially at DR locus • ABO incompatibility • Presence of donor-specific antibody • Cold ischemia time greater than 24 hours • Delayed graft function • Afro- American ethnicity Immunosuppression Protocols 9 Immunosuppression Protocols 10 Maintenance Immunosuppression • To use combination of primary along with adjuvants to reduce the toxicity of each • The incidence of ACR risk is maximum in first 6 weeks. • After 6 weeks, immunosuppression is reduced • Mainstay of immunosuppression: Calcineurine inhibitors – Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus • ACR rate are lower with tacrolimus compared to cyclosporine • Other primary drugs are mTOR inhibitors – Sirolimus and Everolimus but ACR rates are higher. Immunosuppression Protocols 11 Initial Maintenance Immunosuppressive Medications: KDIGO recommendations 2.1: We recommend using a combination of immunosuppressive medications as maintenance therapy including a CNI and an antiproliferative agent, with or without corticosteroids. 2.2: We suggest that tacrolimus be the first-line CNI used. 2.3: We suggest that mycophenolate be the first-line antiproliferative agent. Immunosuppression Protocols 12 Initial Maintenance Immunosuppressive Medications: KDIGO recommendations 2.4: We suggest that, in patients who are at low immunological risk and who receive induction therapy, corticosteroids could be discontinued during the first week after transplantation. 2.5: We recommend that if mTOR inhibitors are used, they should not be started until graft function is established and surgical wounds are healed. Immunosuppression Protocols 13 Long-Term Maintenance Immunosuppressive Medications: KDIGO recommendation • We suggest using the lowest planned doses of maintenance immunosuppressive medications by 2–4months after transplantation, if there has been no acute rejection. (2C) • We suggest that CNIs be continued rather than withdrawn. (2B) • If prednisone is being used beyond the first week after transplantation, we suggest prednisone be continued rather than withdrawn. (2C) Immunosuppression Protocols 14 Calcineurine Inhibitors (CNIs) • Used for maintenance immunosuppression. • Two agents in clinical practice: • • Cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Gengraf®, Neoral®, generic; CysA) • Tacrolimus (Prograf®, generic; FK506). At present are key to maintenance immunosuppression and a component of the majority of transplant protocols. Immunosuppression Protocols 15 Calcineurine Inhibitors (CNIs) • Lower ACR and improved short term graft survival but no effect on long term survival • Nephrotoxicity is serious side effect – due to raised endothelin1 and TGFβ mediated fibrosis leading to arteriolar hyalinosis • Interstitial fibrosis set in all renal grafts by 10 yrs, median onset 6 months Immunosuppression Protocols 16 Calcineurin Inhibitors: Mechanism of Action CsA: Cyclosporine FK506: Tacrolimus FKBP: FK Binding Protein CpN: Cyclophilin NF-AT: Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells (c- cytosolic component; n- nuclear component). Stepkowski, Expert Rev Mol Med, 2000;2(4):1 Immunosuppression Protocols 17 Halloran, N Eng J Med, 2004;351:3715 Immunosuppression Protocols 18 Calcineurine Inhibitors (CNIs) • Hypertension and diabetes is more likely with tacrolimus than with cyclosporine • Infection and malignancy with any immunosuppression • As a group – 10 times risk of CVS death, 50% of death with functioning graft. Immunosuppression Protocols 19 Cyclosporine (CsA) • Orally every 12 hrs at 4-8 mg/kg/day to achieve trough levels 250-350 Dosing: ng/mL (< 6 mo), 200-250 ng/mL (6-12 mo), 100-200 ng/mL (> 1yr) • IV: 12 hr infusions or continuous IV infusion at 1/4 daily oral dose Immunosuppression Protocols Cyclosporine (CsA) • Renal insufficiency • HTN , though lesser than tacrolimus Major Toxicities: • Dyslipidemia, though lesser than tacrolimus • Hyperkalemia • Hypomagnesemia • Hyperuricemia • Gingival hyperplasia • Hirsutism 20 Immunosuppression Protocols 21 Tacrolimus (Prograf) • Prograf is given every 12 hr dosing at 0.05-0.1 mg/kg/day, Dosing: Advagraf is given once a day • IV: continuous infusion – 1/3 1/5th of daily oral dose Immunosuppression Protocols Tacrolimus (Prograf) • Renal insufficiency • Hypertension Major toxicities: • Diabetes much more than ciclosporin • Dyslipidemia • Hypomagnesemia • Hyperkalemia • Neurotoxicity such as tremors 22 Immunosuppression Protocols Calcineurine Inhibitors: Dosing and Monitoring 23 Immunosuppression Protocols 24 Calcineurine Inhibitors: Adverse Effects Cyclosporine Tacrolimus Hypertension ++ + Pancreatic islet toxicity + ++ Neurotoxicity + ++ Hirsutism + - Hair loss - + Gum hypertrophy + - GI side effects - + Gastric motility - + Dyslipidemia + - Hyperuricemia ++ + ↑K+/↓Mg2+ + + Adapted from Danovitch, Handbook of Kidney Transplantation, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005 Immunosuppression Protocols 25 Advagraf (Slow-release Tacrolimus) • The author uses Advagraf once a day when there is neuro toxicity due to Prograf (Tacrolimus) • It works by more constant levels of drug rather than peaks and troughs • Once a day formulations allows more cautious reductions than would be possible by tacrolimus when given in a daily dose of < 3 mg per day Immunosuppression Protocols CNIs drug interactions Inhibit CYP450 Potentiate CYP 450 • • • • Azoles Calcium channel blockers Amiodarone Grapefruit • Rifampin • Phenytoin • St John’s Wort 26 Immunosuppression Protocols 27 CNIs drug interactions Drug interactions with cyclosporine and tacrolimus Increase cyclosporine or tacrolimus blood levels Decrease cyclosporine or tacrolimus blood levels Increase cyclosporine or tacrolimus nephrotoxicity Ketoconazole Anticonvulsants: phenytoin, phenobarbital (phenobatbitone), carbamazepine, others Amphotericin B Fluconazole Erythromycin Diltiazem Antibiotics: rifampin (rifamapicin) , rifabutin Verapamil Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs Aminoglycosides Cisplatin Nicardipine Metoclopramide Methylprednisolone Sirolimus (increase cyclosporine levels) Halloran, from Johnson (ed.), Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology, Mosby Elsevier, 2003. Immunosuppression Protocols CNIs drug interactions HAART 28 Immunosuppression Protocols 29 Anti-proliferative agents are used as adjuvants • Mycophenolic acid/MMF is the first line adjuvant • Azathioprine if MMF is not tolerated, is now a second line adjuvant • Steroids for those with high immunological risk, and for those who get severe ACR • If MMF are not tolerated well, Sirolimus is used as an adjunct. Immunosuppression Protocols 30 Azathioprine (Imurane) • This gets hydrolyzed into 6- Mercaptopurine. It is a purine analogue that is incorporated into the cellular DNA interfering with the synthesis of RNA • Dosing: • Orally 1-1.5mg/kg/day (monitoring to keep WBC count > 4.0 ) • Drug levels not monitored Immunosuppression Protocols 31 Azathioprine (Imurane) • Major Toxicities: • Bone marrow suppression • Hepatitis • Pancreatitis • Malignancy • Always be cautious if the patient is already on allopurinol for gout. A combination of these 2 drugs leads to severe bon marrow depression Immunosuppression Protocols 32 Halloran, N Eng J Med, 2004;351:3715 Immunosuppression Protocols Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) • This works by IMPDH dehydrogenase suppression • Dosing: • • Orally 500 mg-1000 mg bd • Levels not done in usual clinical practice Toxicity: • GI (nausea, gastritis, diarrhea) • Enteric coated mycophenolate Na (Myfortic) has been better tolerated, but there is not much clinical evidence • Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia (dose-related) 33 Immunosuppression Protocols 34 Halloran, N Eng J Med, 2004;351:3715 Immunosuppression Protocols 35 Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors (mTOR inhibitors) mTOR inhibitors should not be initiated until allograft function is established and surgical wounds has healed Immunosuppression Protocols 36 Halloran, N Eng J Med, 2004;351:3715 Immunosuppression Protocols 37 Immunosuppression Protocols 38 mTOR Inhibitors • • Conversion to mTOR- based regimen is justified in those with: one of these • low immunological risk, • high risk of graft dysfunction, • history of malignancy and/or high CVS risk. When? • Early – greatest improvement in function. • Late – more proteinuria • More infection, leucopoenia and hypercholesterolemia. • Anti-tumour effects against skin tumours • CMV protective? Immunosuppression Protocols 39 Sirolimus Binds with FK receptors (like Tacrolimus) independent of Calcineurine mechanism Dosing: • Once a day 1-3 mg daily with a target of 24 hour trough of 4-8 ng/mL Immunosuppression Protocols 40 Sirolimus Major toxicities: • • • • • • • Oral ulcers Dyslipidemia Acne Poor wound healing Edema Pneumonitis, alveolar hemorrhage Bone marrow suppression (anemia and thrombocytopenia) • Proteinuria is a significant renal toxicity Immunosuppression Protocols 41 Steroids • Used for induction, maintenance and treatment of rejection. • Mechanism of action: • • Inhibit function of dendritic cells. • Inhibit translocation to nucleus of NF-κB. • Suppress production of IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, TNF-α, and γ-IFN. Adverse effects numerous and well-known. Immunosuppression Protocols 42 Steroids • Nonspecific anti-inflammatory that interrupts multiple steps in immune activation • A number of metabolic complications in long-term • A number of studies of steroid withdrawal – significant increases in late rejection • Alemtuzumab induction – allows steroid avoidance • Steroid avoidance should be assessed carefully on individual basis, with attention to risk-benefit profile. Immunosuppression Protocols Steroids Weight gain Hypertension Osteopenia, Hyperglycemia, Poor wound healing, Cushingoid features, Proximal myopathy, Cataracts 43 FACULTY OF HEALTH & LIFE SCIENCES – CPD Institute for Learning & Teaching Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Room 2.16A, 4th Floor Thompson Yates Building Brownlow Hill Liverpool L69 3GB www.liv.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/cpd A MEMBER OF THE RUSSELL GROUP Immunosuppression Protocols 45 CNI Avoidance: Options • mTORs and Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF): high ACR rates, high rate of wound complications • • Belatacept – T cell co-stimulation blockade (CD80/CD28 interaction): • IV dosed monthly • higher rates of ACR • better CVS risk profiles • improved patient and graft survival in comparison to cyclosporine • CNS PTLD and PML Conversion to the co-stimulation blocker Belatacept or an mTOR inhibitor may be associated with an increased rate of ACR, but a benefit of this strategy is better renal allograft function. Immunosuppression Protocols 46 CNI Minimisation Low dose CNI with high MMF or Sirolimus: transient or statistically insignificant benefit Low dose CNI with Everolimus – insignificant superior renal function, higher tolerance to mTORs Immunosuppression Protocols 47 SMART Aim: to compare the effect of an early CNI-free immunosuppression regimen with a standard immunosuppression on renal function 36 months after transplantation Design: observational follow-up of patients followed within the SMART framework for 36 mo (n=132) Early conversion (10-24 d): CNI to SRL . Intention To Treat Analysis End point: eGFR Immunosuppression Protocols 48 SMART Outcome: At 36 mo, renal function continued to be superior in SRL-treated patients eGFR at 36 mo: 60.88 vs 53.72 of CsA group P=0.031. Significantly more patients discontinued therapy in the SRL group 59.4% vs 42.3% for CsA. Patient survival 99% in SRL group vs 97% CsA group and graft survival 96% SRL group vs 94% CsA group survival at 36 months was excellent in both arms. Immunosuppression Protocols 49 Spare the Nephron Aim: hypothesis: the patients who are withdrawn from CNI-based therapy early after transplantation and maintained on MMF in combination with SRL will have improved GFR Time to change: 30-180 days after transplant Design: prospective, open-label, randomized, multicentre renal transplant recipients (N=305) Design: prospective, open-label, randomized, multicentre renal transplant recipients (N=305) Immunosuppression Protocols 50 Spare the Nephron End point: GFR Outcome: Patients maintained on MMF + CNI for ≤6 m and then converted to maintenance immunosuppression with MMF + SRL had greater improvement in GFR vs patients remaining on MMF + CNI. Immunosuppression Protocols CONCEPT Aim: to evaluate conversion from a CsA-based regimen to a SRL-based regimen 3 months posttransplant Design: prospective, open-label, randomized, multicentre (N=237) Design: prospective, open-label, randomized, multicentre (N=237) Early conversion (3 m): CsA to SRL End point: e-GFR at wk 52 51 Immunosuppression Protocols CONCEPT Outcome: e-GFR at wk 52 was significantly better in the SRL group (68.9 vs 64.4 mL/min, P=.017). Patient and graft survival rates were not statistically different. The incidence of ACR episode, mainly occurring after withdrawal of steroids, was not statistically higher in the SRL group (17% vs 8%, P=.071) 52 Immunosuppression Protocols 53 CONVERT Aim: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of converting maintenance renal transplant recipients from CNIs to SRL Design: prospective, openlabel, randomized, single centre (n=830) Late (6-120 m) conversion: CNI to SRL End points: e-GFR , cumulative rates of BPAR, allograft loss, or death at 12 m Immunosuppression Protocols CONVERT Outcome: At 2 years, SRL conversion among patients with baseline e-GFR >40 ml was associated with excellent patient and allograft survival, no difference in BPAR, increased urinary protein excretion, and a lower incidence of malignancy compared with CNI continuation. Superior renal function was observed among patients who remained on SRL through 12-24 m, particularly in the subgroup of patients with baseline eGFR >40 mL and UPr/Cr ≤0.11. 54 Immunosuppression Protocols 55 Standard Risk Transplant: Liverpool Protocol • All living related transplants with negative cross match and not sensitised i.e. PRA<20% • Heart-beating cadaveric transplants with no graft factors • Better than 2 DR mismatch • In Theatre: 0.5-1 gm Methyl Prednisolone. • Induction: Basiliximab 20 mg Day 0 and Day 4. • Maintenance: Tacrolimus (0.1mg/kg starting dose)+ MMF (1.5-2 gm) Tacrolimus Level 8-12ng/ml 3 months Level 4-7ng/ml Afterwards Immunosuppression Protocols 56 High Risk Transplant: Liverpool Protocol Patients with 2DR mismatch or PRA >20% Re-transplants who had early loss of previous graft due to an immune cause Extended criteria HBD transplants – • donors aged 60 or older or • donors between 50-59 with at least 2 of – CVA as cause of death, renal insufficiency (Cr>135 μmol/l), hypertension. or • DCD transplants Immunosuppression Protocols 57 High Risk Transplant: Liverpool Protocol • In Theatre: Methyl Prednisolone 0.5-1 gm • Induction: Alemtuzumab 30mg SC Day 0 day 1 for patients < 60yrs, and Day 0 single dose for patients > 60yrs • Maintenance: Tacrolimus (level 5-8ng/ml) + MMF (1 gm) Immunosuppression Protocols 58 Treatment of Acute Rejection: Liverpool Protocol • Methylprednisolone 0.5-1g IV for 3 days • Partial response (creatinine falls but still more than 20% over baseline on day 5): oral prednisolone 100mg reducing to 20mg over 8 days. Immunosuppression Protocols 59 Acute Vascular Rejection • Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) (Thymoglobuline) 1.53mg/kg through a central line (unlicensed dose and frequency), (following IV chlorphenamine10mg and oral paracetamol 1g, and IV steroid if not already on a steroid). The patient is re-dozed when CD3 count rises to 50/microlitre (0.050x109/L) to cover a 14 day period. (This is an unlicensed dose regime) Immunosuppression Protocols Acute Vascular Rejection Tacrolimus and mycophenolate preparations are stopped on initiation of ATG and restarted on day 10; oral prednisolone 20mg daily is started on initiation 60 Immunosuppression Protocols 61 Use of Ecluzimab in Acute Vascular Rejection • £3150 per 30ml vial • 1 dose=90ml=£9450 • Not licenced for AMR so individual patient approval required • Humanised (mouse) monoclonal antibody acts on C5 to inhibit latter part compliment cascade reducing inflammation. • Prevents the generation of the terminal complement membrane attack complex (MAC) • (See induction immunosuppression) Immunosuppression Protocols 62 Treatment of Steroid-Resistant Acute Rejection • Aim: to deplete CD3+ lymphocytes from peripheral blood. • There are 3 options have been used: 1. Rabbit Anti-Thymocyte Globulin (ATG) 2. Horse Anti-Lymphocyte Globulin (ALG) not in use now 3. OKT3 not much used for this indication Immunosuppression Protocols 63 Disease Processes Requiring Modification in Immunosuppression • Steroids should be minimized in transplant recipients who have evidence of viral infections or have metabolic complications • Patients with intractable systemic infection especially CMV disease in transplant recipients requires reduction in immunosuppression especially MMF Immunosuppression Protocols 64 Disease Processes Requiring Modification in Immunosuppression • Compliance is a serious issue in young patients, especially adolescent females may stop taking cyclosporine and prednisolone due to their effect on body image • Infection should be ruled out before embarking on steroid pulse therapy, however, these 2 conditions may be comanifest Immunosuppression Protocols 65 Disease Processes Requiring Modification in Immunosuppression • During pregnancy, the dose of Tacrolimus/Cyclosporine needs to be increased, as the volume in which the drug is redistributed is much bigger • Pediatric patients, who already face growth retardation due to chronic end-stage organ failure, would remain stunted if continued on inadvertent doses of steroids. Immunosuppression Protocols 66 Disease Processes Requiring Modification in Immunosuppression • Patients who develop skin tumors require change over from Azathioprine based immunosuppression to Sirolimus based immunosuppression. • Transplant patients with hepatitis C positivity are considered to have lesser proliferation of virus when on Cyclosporine than on Tacrolimus Immunosuppression Protocols 67 Surgical Problems in Immunosuppressed Patients • Involve the transplant team from the start • Immunosuppressive drugs down the NGT if possible • Immunosuppressive drugs IV (1/4 of the oral Cya dose & 1/5 of the oral Tac dose) • Steroid cover (Suppressed suprarenal gland) • Antibiotic cover • IV fluid • Careful monitoring of urine out put and renal function (daily) Immunosuppression Protocols 68 Surgical Problems in Immunosuppressed Patients • Careful monitoring of CNIs drug level • Avoid nephrotoxic drugs • Be aware of drug interaction with CNI (discuss with the Tx team) • Delayed wound healing and wound-related complications Immunosuppression Protocols 69 Prophylaxis of Infection • Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia • Co-trimoxazole 480mg daily to all patients for 6 months • A three month course should be initiated after this period if a transplant patient has their immunosuppression changed or increased. • If patients are allergic to Co-trimoxazole, or this causes dyscrasias, Dapsone 50mg BD may be used. Immunosuppression Protocols 70 Prophylaxis of Infection • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis • CMV status of potential recipients is to be tested for every six months. After transplant, valganciclovir is prescribed for 100days as below. • Donor(D)/Recipient(R) combinations: • D-ve/R-ve Not required • D-ve/R+ve REQUIRED IF HAD ALEMTUZUMAB/ATG • D+ve/R+ve REQUIRED IF HAD ALEMTUZUMAB/ATG • D+ve/R-ve REQUIRED FOR ALL TRANSPLANT PATIENTS Immunosuppression Protocols 71 Diffuse peri-hilar infiltrate secondary to cytomegalovirus infection in an 18 year old man with a rapidly deteriorating febrile condition 5 weeks post-transplant, after a course of antilymphocyte globulin (for rejection). Immunosuppression Protocols 72 Prophylaxis of Infection Prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) • There is UK protocol for screening and vaccinating dialysis and pre-dialysis patients against hepatitis B virus (HBV). • The earlier in the chronic kidney disease process a patient is vaccinated the more likely vaccination is to achieve adequate immune response. • Vaccination can be carried out during immune suppression but is much less effective. • Patients listed for transplant must have their HBV immune status documented at the time of listing. Immunosuppression Protocols 73 Prophylaxis of Infection Prevention of varicella zoster virus (VZV) by vaccination • VZV can carry the risk of producing life-threatening illness in the immunocompromised. It is thus important to ensure that all patients awaiting transplantation are screened to ensure immunity (usually conferred by childhood chicken pox) and offered vaccination BEFORE TRANSPLANT if appropriate, although contraindications may preclude this. Immunosuppression Protocols 74 Prophylaxis of Infection If a patient is unsuitable for or declines vaccination, full documentation should be made in the case notes. These patients should be warned to avoid contact with patients with chickenpox or shingles if they are transplanted and immunosuppressed. Any contact requires hospital referral; suspicion of varicella or shingles contact should be treated as an emergency and discussed with a Consultant Medical Virologist. Immunosuppression Protocols 75 Summary • The incidence and severity of acute rejection has come down significantly • Nonetheless, the chronic allograft nephropathy remains the major obstacle in the long term outcome, and that has not changed • The ultimate goal of ‘tolerance’ continues to be elusive Immunosuppression Protocols 76 Summary • With ever growing understanding of the mechanisms of the process of rejection, the aim is to evolve a situation when the need for immunosuppression is specific and minimized • Clinical immunosuppression is rather complex. • At times, it may be difficult to strike a fine balance between hazards of over-immunosuppression and protecting allograft from immunological onslaught. FACULTY OF HEALTH & LIFE SCIENCES – CPD Institute for Learning & Teaching Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Room 2.16A, 4th Floor Thompson Yates Building Brownlow Hill Liverpool L69 3GB www.liv.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/cpd A MEMBER OF THE RUSSELL GROUP