A Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of a Tacrolimus Based Immunosuppressive Regimen in Stable Kidney Transplant Recipients Converted From Cyclosporine Based Immunosuppressive Regimen

A Single-center Pilot Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of a Tacrolimus Based Immunosuppressive Regimen in Stable Kidney Transplant Recipients Converted From Cyclosporine Based Immunosuppressive Regimen

The objective of this study is to observe and evaluate the change in renal function following conversion from cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive regimen to tacrolimus-based one.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients received a kidney transplant at least 12 months before enrollment.
• Patients whose dosage of previous immunosuppressants has not been changed and remained for at least 4 weeks before enrollment, and blood trough level of cyclosporine is 100 to 200 ng/mL.
• Patients who have the side effects (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, gingival hyperplasia and hypertrichosis/hirsutism) during use of cyclosporine.
• Serum creatinine < 2.3 mg/dl at enrollment
• Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test prior to enrollment, and agreed to use effective contraception during the trial.
• Patients considered clinically stable

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have previously received an organ transplant other than a kidney.
• Patients who have had acute transplant rejection within 12 weeks, or acute transplant rejection requiring antilymphocyte therapy within 24 weeks prior to enrollment.
• Patients newly diagnosed malignant tumors after organ transplant, but the patients treated completely with basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin are excepted.
• Patients who have an underlying disease such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) or type II membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (Type II MPGN).
• Proteinuria > 2 g/24 hrs.
• Patients who have "Creeping creatinine" (a 20% increase in their creatinine for six months before their enrollment).
• Patients whose Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and/or Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) is twice higher than the normal range in the center.
• Patients who have liver cirrhosis.
• Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Patients who had been HIV-positive.
• Patients who have a known allergy to Prograf® or its ingredients, steroids or adjuvants.
• Patients who have an unstable medical condition that may affect the evaluation of the study's objectives.
• Patients who are receiving prohibited concomitant medications or who received those medications within 28 days of their enrollment.
• Patients who are currently participating in another clinical trial or who received the investigational drug in another trial within 28 days of their enrollment.
• Patients who are at the risk of drug abuse or mental disorders or communicate difficulties.