Contents

Safety and Clinical Effectiveness of Low-Dose Prolonged-Release Tacrolimus With Early Renin–Angiotensin System Blockade in Higher Immunologic-Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients: A 24-Month Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label Study

Abstract

Introduction: In higher immunologic-risk kidney transplant recipients, tacrolimus minimization may reduce nephrotoxicity but risks rejection and dnDSA. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade may offer anti-inflammatory benefits. We assessed 24-month outcomes of standard- versus low-dose prolonged-release tacrolimus with or without ACEi/ARB. Methods: In this multicenter, prospective, open-label trial, higher-risk de novo kidney transplant recipients were randomized to low- or standard-dose tacrolimus and to ACEi/ARB or other antihypertensive therapy (OAHT). All received basiliximab, mycophenolate, and steroids. Outcomes included survival, BPAR, dnDSA, graft function, proteinuria, protocol biopsies, and safety. Results: 320 patients were randomized; 316 received treatment. At 24 months, patient survival was 98.1% overall. Graft survival was lowest with low-dose tacrolimus+OAHT (91.1%) versus other groups (96.2–98.7%). BPAR was highest with low-dose+OAHT (25.3%) versus others (12.7–16.5%). Class II dnDSA occurred in 13.9% of low-dose+OAHT versus 5.1–7.6% in others. eGFR was similar across groups; proteinuria was lower with ACEi/ARB. Protocol biopsies showed less inflammatory fibrosis progression with low-dose+ACEi/ARB versus low-dose+OAHT. Safety was comparable; ACEi/ARB recipients had slightly lower hemoglobin. Conclusion: In higher immunologic-risk recipients, low-dose tacrolimus with early RAS blockade achieved 24-month outcomes closer to standard-dose regimens than low-dose without RAS blockade. Minimization without RAS blockade increased rejection and dnDSA, supporting further study of risk-stratified minimization with early RAS blockade.

Keywords: kidney transplantation; tacrolimus minimization; ACE inhibitor; angiotensin receptor blocker; donor-specific antibody; higher immunologic risk; graft survival; interstitial fibrosis
Copyright © 2025 S. Vikram, K. Balasubramoniam and K. M. Cherian. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.