Interleukin-2 receptor antagonists and aggressive steroid minimization strategies for kidney transplant patients

Steroid withdrawal during the first week after transplantation surgery, or complete avoidance of steroids, offers potential benefits. The interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor antibodies, basiliximab and daclizumab, can enable aggressive steroid minimization protocols that are efficacious while reducing toxicity. A multicenter, randomized trial of kidney transplant recipients has shown the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection with basiliximab, cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil with steroids withdrawn at day 5 to be similar to a conventional triple-therapy regimen. A single perioperative dose of corticosteroids with an IL-2 receptor antagonist also seems as efficacious as standard steroid therapy. Corticosteroid-minimization with IL-2 receptor antagonists has also been investigated with sirolimus-containing regimens and has shown excellent outcomes. Experience with complete steroid avoidance, using an IL-2 receptor antagonist, is limited, but initial results are promising, particularly in pediatric patients. Administration of an IL-2 receptor antagonist with aggressive steroid minimization in selected, well-monitored patients seems reasonable, but further trials are required to define optimal protocols.