Conversion Study From Cyclosporine to FK506MR Based Immunosuppression in Kidney Transplant Subjects

Multicenter, single-arm, open phase IIIb, conversion study where a Cyclosporine A-based immunosuppressive regimen is replaced by the administration of tacrolimus modified release formulation, MR4, once daily (morning dosing only) in stable renal transplant subjects. The initial recommended dose of MR4 is 0.1 mg/kg/day.

Twenty-four weeks of treatment on MR4-based immunosuppressive regimen is considered to be an appropriate study duration in order to assess the response in subjects suffering from one or more known cyclosporine side effects, hypertrichosis/hirsutism, gingival hyperplasia, hyperlipidemia, arterial hypertension.

Stable, adult kidney transplant recipients (≥ 12 months post transplant) who are currently treated with cyclosporine and who meet the Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria will be enrolled.

Inclusion criteria

• Serum creatinine < 200 µmol/l (< 2.3 mg/dl) at enrollment.
• Female subject of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at enrollment and must agree to maintain effective birth control during the study.
• Capable of understanding the purpose and risks of the study, has been fully informed and has given written informed consent (signed Informed Consent has been obtained).

Exclusion criteria

• Previously received an organ transplant other than a kidney.
• Acute rejection episode within 12 weeks prior to enrollment, or an acute rejection episode within the 24 weeks prior to enrollment that required anti-lymphocyte antibody therapy