Preoperative introduction and maintenance immunosuppression therapy of oral-only tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids reduce acute rejection episodes after lung transplantation☆

Immunosuppression therapy in lung transplantation (LTX) remains unsatisfactory due to a high incidence of infection and frequent acute rejection (AR), leading to early onset of the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). The long-term success of LTX is limited by BOS, associated with marked morbidity and mortality. The strongest risk factor for BOS is frequent AR. Decreasing frequent AR episodes might lead to improved long-term survival following LTX.