To prospectively evaluate in de novo kidney transplant recipients, hepatitis C positive, the clinical outcomes of an immunosuppressive regimen of EC-MPS free of steroids in comparison with a regimen of EC-MPS with standard steroids, as measured by the hepatic function tests (ALT/AST) after 12 months treatment.

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients hepatitis C positive (serology test within the last 12 months and determined by third-generation assay).
2. Recipients of heart-beating cadaveric, living unrelated or living related non-HLA identical donor kidney transplant, treated with basiliximab and CsA-ME as primary immunosuppression.

Exclusion criteria

1. Multi-organ recipients (e.g. double kidney, kidney and pancreas or kidney and liver) or previous transplant with any other organ.
2. Kidneys from non-heart beating donors.
3. ABO incompatibility against the donor.
4. Patients with panel reactive antibodies of >50% at most recent assessment prior to transplantation and /or prior graft lost due to immunological reasons in the first six months post-transplantation or patients who are considered to be at increased risk of acute rejection by the principal investigator Additional protocol defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.