Critical analysis of graft loss and death in kidney transplant recipients treated with mTOR inhibitors

Abstract Registry studies and systematic reviews have shown higher risk for mortality and graft loss in patients in use of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) compared to calcineurin-based (CNI) immunosuppressive regimens. The majority of these studies pooled data from early trials using different strategies such as "de novo" combination of the high dose mTOR inhibitors with standard dose of CNI or high dose mTORi combined with mycophenolate. The large heterogeneity of these initial exploratory studies, many of them no longer in use, turns difficult any comparison with a well-defined standard of care regimen. The new strategies using concentration controlled reduced exposure of mTORi and CNI or early conversion from CNI to mTORi use have shown comparable patient and graft survival. Nevertheless, considering the central role of mTOR in health and disease states, more research is necessary to mitigate the adverse events and to explore further the potential beneficial effects of mTOR inhibitors.