Pediatric Liver Transplant Factors That Influence Tacrolimus Absorption
1Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, 2University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 1453
Keywords: Biliary atresia, Calcineurin, Immunosuppression, Pediatric
Topic: Clinical Science » Liver » 61 - Liver: Pediatrics
Session Information
Session Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Presentation Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Hynes Halls C & D
*Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between various pediatric recipient characteristics at time of liver transplant and FK506 absorption 6 months post-transplant.
*Methods: All pediatric (age < 18 years) liver transplants performed at our institution between 2012 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were excluded for multi-organ or re-transplant, non-FK-based immunosuppression, or patient death within 6 months of transplant. Immunosuppression includes FK506 and a corticosteroid taper, +/-mycophenolate. Target FK506 trough levels are 10 - 12 ng/mL for post-transplant months 0 - 3, and 8 - 10 ng/mL for months 3 - 6. FK506 absorption and oral bioavailability was assessed using Dose-Normalized Trough Concentration (DNTC), measured as the trough concentration (ng/mL) divided by the total daily dose (mg/kg/day) at 6 months post-transplant. Categorical variables presented as n (%) and continuous variables presented as mean (standard deviation). Association with DNTC was assessed using multivariable linear regression. Significant variable (p < 0.05) upon univariable linear regression were included in the multivariable model.
*Results: 88 pediatric liver transplant recipients met inclusion criteria (Table 1). Upon univariable linear regression, age, weight, diagnosis, total bilirubin, match MELD/PELD, biliary reconstruction technique, and graft type were significantly associated with 6-month FK506 DNTC. Upon multivariable linear regression, age, total bilirubin, match MELD/PELD > 25, and living donor liver graft remained significantly and independently associated with 6-month FK506 DNTC (Table 2). Total bilirubin, match MELD/PELD, and living donor graft were positively associated with DNTC, while age was negatively associated with DNTC.
*Conclusions: Novel pediatric characteristics at time of liver transplant associated with increased FK506 absorption 6-months post-transplant include younger age, living donor graft, MELD/PELD, and total bilirubin. These findings may help guide FK506 dosing and dose adjustments by identifying sub-groups of recipients with higher absorption and oral bioavailability.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Chandran M, Yoeli D, Sater A, Karrer F, Adams M. Pediatric Liver Transplant Factors That Influence Tacrolimus Absorption [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/pediatric-liver-transplant-factors-that-influence-tacrolimus-absorption/. Accessed October 3, 2024.« Back to 2022 American Transplant Congress