Sirolimus: a new option in transplantation

This review of immunosuppression in renal transplantation has allowed us to highlight the deleterious effect of calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity and to emphasise the importance of sirolimus. Now, a whole new set of possibilities has opened up in immunosuppression: sirolimus-based immunosuppression without calcineurin inhibitors; sirolimus in combination with calcineurin inhibitors in reduced doses; early calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal from a regimen that combines sirolimus, calcineurin inhibitors and steroids; and calcineurin inhibitor conversion to sirolimus when the first signs of graft nephrotoxicity appear. These new strategies in immunosuppression in renal transplantation are associated with good results in graft and patient survival in year 1, and with better renal function. Therefore, we can hope for better long-term results in transplantation, with a significant increase in the graft half-life and in the patient survival.