@article {50,
	title = {Simultaneous corticosteroid avoidance and calcineurin inhibitor minimization in renal transplantation},
	journal = {Transpl Int},
	volume = {19},
	year = {2006},
	note = {0934-0874 (Print) Journal Article},
	month = {Apr},
	pages = {295 - 302},
	abstract = {Steroids and calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) have been mainstays of immunosuppression but both have numerous side effects that are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to determine if steroids can be eliminated with early discontinuation of cyclosporine A (CsA) and later discontinuation of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Ninety-six patients with kidney transplants were entered into four subgroups of two pilot studies. All patients received Thymoglobulin induction, rapamycin (RAPA), and the immunonutrients arginine and an oil containing omega-3 fatty acids. Mycophenolate mofetil was started in standard doses and discontinued by 2 years. CsA was given in reduced doses for either 4, 6, or 12 months. Follow-up was 12-36 months. Thirteen first rejection episodes occurred during the first year (14\%). Combining all patients, 86\% were rejection-free at 1 year, 80\% at 2 years and 79\% at 3 years. No kidney has been lost to acute rejection. Ninety percent of the 84 patients at risk at the end of the study were steroid-free and 87\% were off CNI. Fifty-seven percent of 54 patients with a functioning kidney at 3 years were receiving monotherapy with RAPA. We conclude that this therapeutic strategy is worthy of a prospective multi-center clinical trial.},
	keywords = {*Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects / immunology, Adrenal Cortex Hormones / *administration \& dosage, Antilymphocyte Serum / administration \& dosage, Arginine / administration \& dosage, Calcineurin / *antagonists \& inhibitors, Cyclosporine / administration \& dosage, Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / administration \& dosage, Female, Graft Rejection / prevention \& control, Humans, Immunosuppressive Agents / *administration \& dosage, Male, Middle Aged, Mycophenolic Acid / administration \& dosage / analogs \& derivatives, Pilot Projects, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Sirolimus / administration \& dosage, T-Lymphocytes / immunology},
	author = {Alexander,J. W. and Goodman,H. R. and Cardi,M. and Austin,J. and Goel,S. and Safdar,S. and Huang,S. and Munda,R. and Fidler,J. P. and Buell,J. F. and Hanaway,M. and Susskind,B. and Roy-Chaudhury,P. and Trofe,J. and Alloway,R. and Woodle,E. S.}
}
