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Risk Factors for Initial Sub- and Supra-Therapeutic Tacrolimus Trough Levels in Renal Transplant Recipients

M. Kapugi, K. Cunningham, C. D'Agostino, C. Kane, A. Novak, J. Schulte

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL

Meeting: 2019 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: A267

Keywords: Calcineurin, Immunosuppression, Kidney transplantation, Risk factors

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session A: Kidney Immunosuppression: Novel Regimens and Drug Minimization

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Saturday, June 1, 2019

Session Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm

 Presentation Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm

Location: Hall C & D

*Purpose: Sub-therapeutic tacrolimus trough levels have been associated with increased risk of rejection in renal transplant recipients and supra-therapeutic levels with infectious risks and drug toxicities. The objective of this study is to identify risk factors for sub- and supra-therapeutic tacrolimus levels in renal transplant patients receiving an initial fixed dose of tacrolimus 2 mg twice daily based on institution protocol.

*Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of adults who received a renal transplant from 2013-2017. Patients were classified into 2 groups: those with first appropriate tacrolimus trough level drawn post-transplant within the institutional target trough of 8-10 ng/mL and those with first trough <8 or >10 ng/mL. Logistic regression will be utilized to evaluate patient demographics and identify potential risk factors. Additional study endpoints will include biopsy proven acute rejection and renal function.

*Results: A total of 300 patients were included in the preliminary results.

*Conclusions: Only 13% of patients had an initial tacrolimus trough between 8-10 ng/mL. Of patients with an initial trough <8 ng/mL, a higher dose of 7 mg/day was required to achieve a level >8 ng/mL (p<0.0001). Patients with sub-therapeutic troughs on average had a higher BMI, showing fixed-doses may not achieve therapeutic levels in overweight patients early post-transplant. Patients with an initial trough <8 ng/mL required an increase in weight-based dose (0.08 vs 0.06 mg/kg/day, p<0.0001) to attain a level >8 ng/mL compared to patients with an initial trough of 8-10 ng/mL. Mean time from first dose to first trough >8 ng/mL among patients with an initial trough <8 ng/mL was 7±1 days. There was a trend towards statistical significance between lower age and sub-therapeutic tacrolimus trough levels. Additional patient analysis and logistic regression will aim to identify patient characteristics associated with sub-therapeutic levels.

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To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Kapugi M, Cunningham K, D'Agostino C, Kane C, Novak A, Schulte J. Risk Factors for Initial Sub- and Supra-Therapeutic Tacrolimus Trough Levels in Renal Transplant Recipients [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2019; 19 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/risk-factors-for-initial-sub-and-supra-therapeutic-tacrolimus-trough-levels-in-renal-transplant-recipients/. Accessed June 2, 2025.

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