Immunosuppression without steroids in liver transplantation is safe and reduces infection and metabolic complications: Results from a prospective multicenter randomized study

Background/Aims The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a steroid-free immunosuppression protocol. Methods From 2001 to 2004, 198 liver-transplant patients were randomized to receive immunosuppression with Basiliximab and cyclosporine, with (St Group) or without (NoSt Group) prednisone. The primary end points were acute rejection, and patient and graft survival. The secondary end points were infection, metabolic complications, and hepatitis C-virus recurrence. Results Overall rejection rate was 15%, with no differences (St: 13% vs NoSt: 18%; P=0.33). Infection rate was similar in both groups (St: 51% vs NoSt: 47%; P=0.56), but diabetic patients in the St Group had a significantly higher rate of bacterial infections (St: 54% vs NoSt: 14%; P=0.005). The six-month protocol biopsies showed hepatitis C recurrence in 90% of patients, without differences between groups. Hypertension was more frequent in the St Group (St: 44% vs NoSt: 25%; P=0.006). De novo diabetes rate was higher in the St Group (month 1: St: 29% vs NoSt: 18%; P=0.06), with higher glycatedHb (5.1±1.1 vs 4.4±0.8; P=0.002). Six-month survival rates were similar (St: 89% vs NoSt: 94%, P=0.62). Conclusions Immunosuppression without steroids is safe and reduces infection and metabolic complications.