The Vienna Prograf and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Extension Study

The study concerns the conversion of immunosuppressive agents among participants in the clinical trial "The Vienna Prograf and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Study - The Vienna PEP Study" at the end of the study after 2 years in the extension study PEP-X.

The aim of the conversion is to investigate the effects of the multi-drug resistance (MDR1, gene symbol ABCB1) genotype on the trough blood levels of tacrolimus modified release (TAC MR4; Advagraf®). Analyzes of the effects of the genotype on the concentration/dose ratio ([ng/mL]/[mg/d]) will be carried out, as well as studies on existing polymorphisms in the MDR1 gene. The written informed consent to conversion of either tacrolimus (TAC; Prograf®) or cyclosporin A (CSA; Sandimmun Neoral®) to TAC MR4 will be obtained.

Upon completion of 24 months of study participation of the PEP-study, and consent to convert the immunosuppressant therapy of either TAC or CSA to TAC MR4, it will be used as indicated by the manufacturer. In patients treated with CSA, the initial dose will be 0.1-0.12 mg TAC MR4 per kg of body weight per day with oral morning administration. In patients who are already treated with TAC, the conversion to TAC MR4 will be performed in a 1:1 ratio.

The dosage data for the conversion of CSA to TAC MR4 are taken from the documents of the European Medicines Agency homepage (http://www.emea.europa.eu/index/ indexh1.htm, retrieved 26.09.2007), those on the safety and equivalence of the achieved areas under the curve (AUC) of both TAC formulations from Alloway et al. (Transplant Proc 2005; 37: 867-870).

The conversion will be performed by Univ. Prof. Dr. Gere Sunder-Plassmann, and Dr. Markus Riegersperger, respectively, both Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna. The desired trough level is set at 4.0-8.0ng/mL according to the usual clinical standards for long-term transplant patients at the investigators center. The trough level analyses are performed at the Medical University of Vienna, according to the following schedule: 1 week after conversion, 2 weeks after conversion, 4 weeks after conversion, 12 weeks and 12 months after conversion.