Meta-Analysis
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2014; 20(34): 12330-12340
Published online Sep 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i34.12330
Table 1 Characteristics of randomized cohort studies included in the meta-analysis
Ref.YearLocationImmunosuppression
Number of patientsDrug whole-blood trough levels (ng/mL)
Steroid protocol (POT)
Monotherapy groupCombination groupMonotherapy groupCombination group
Benítez et al[18]2010SpainTacrolimusTacrolimus plus prednisone375–1210-15 (3 mo POT)20 mg/d prednisone
7-12 thereafterNS in monotherapy group
Boillot et al[19]2005GermanyTacrolimus monotherapyTacrolimus plus steroids69810-20 (first 6 wk) and 5-15 thereafterprednisone 1-20 mg/d during month 1, 10-15 mg/day during month 2, and 5-10 mg/d during month 3 and thereafter and NS in monotherapy group
Weiler et al[20]2010GermanyTacrolimus monotherapyTacrolimus plus steroids11010-15 (first 6 wk) and 5-10 thereafter100 mg on day 1 to 12 mg on day 14 in both groups and placebo in monotherapy group 2 wk later
Chau et al[21]2001Great BritainTacrolimus monotherapyTriple therapy245-15NSprednisone 1 mg/kg per day and NS in monotherapy group
Moench et al[22]2007GermanyTacrolimus monotherapyTacrolimus plus steroids11010-15 (between day 0 and 42)5-10 thereafterMethylprednisolon 100 mg at day 1, 75 mg at day 2, 48 mg at day 3 and 4, 36 mg at day 5 and 6, 24 mg at day 7 and 8, 16 mg from day 9 to 13 and 12 mg at day 14 and then placebo in monotherapy group 2 wk later
Eason et al[23]2003United StatesTacrolimus monotherapy + ATGTacrolimus plus steroids11910-12NSNS
Samonakis et al[12]2006Great BritainTacrolimus monotherapyTacrolimus, azathioprine, and prednisolone565-14Methylprednisolone(16 mg/d IV) until oral intake was establishedwhen 20 mg/d prednisolone and NS in monotherapy group
Margarit et al[13]2005SpainTacrolimus monotherapyTacrolimus plus steroids6010-15 over the first few weeks and between 8 and 12 thereafter100 mg b.i.d. of methylprednisolone post-LT day 1 and decreasing to 20 mg/d by day 6 patients were weaned off prednisone, if possible, within 3 mo post-LT and NS in monotherapy group
Manousou et al[14]2009GreatBritainTacrolimus monotherapyTacrolimus, azathioprine, and prednisolone1033-26 over the first few week8 at 1 mo7 at 2 mo8 at 3 mo2.5-14 over the first few weeks8.4 at 1 mo7.5 at 2 mo7 at 3 moMethylprednisolone (16 mg/d intravenously) was given until oral intake was established; then, 20 mg/d prednisolone and NS in monotherapy group
Belli et al[24]1998ItalyCyclosporine monotherapyCyclosporine plus steroids88200-300 (1 mo POT)Methylprednisolone
150-250 thereafterat a dose of 200 mg/d on postoperative day 1, and tapered to 20 mg/d of prednisone by postoperative day 6; 5 mg reductions every 2 wk) to a maintenance dose of 0.1 mg/kg per day and withdraw in monotherapy group 90 d later
De Carlis et al[25]1997ItalyCyclosporine monotherapyCyclosporine plus steroids100200-300 (1 mo POT)150-250 thereafterContinued with methylprednisolone at a dose of 200 mg/d on postoperative day 1, and tapered to 20 mg/d of prednisone by postoperative day 6; 5 mg reductions every 2 wk) to a maintenance dose of 0.1 mg/kg per day and withdraw in monotherapy group 3 mo later
Chau et al[21]2001Great BritainCyclosporine monotherapyTriple therapy26100-300Prednisone 1 mg/kg per day and NS in monotherapy group
Romani et al[26]1994ItalyCyclosporine monotherapyCyclosporine plus steroids59200-300 (1 mo POT)Methylprednisolone
150-250 thereafterat a dose of 200 mg/d on postoperative day 1 and 5 mg reductions every 2 wk) to a maintenance dose of 0.1 mg/kg per day and withdraw in monotherapy group 90 d later
Schlitt et al[27]2001GermanyMycophenolate Mofetil MonotherapyMycophenolate Mofetil plus CNIs28500 mg/d in the first week; 1000 mg/d in the second week; 1500 mg/d in the third week; final dose: 2000 mg/dCNIs dose was reduced by 25% of the initial dose every week in monotherapy group
Schmeding et al[28]2011GermanyMycophenolate Mofetil MonotherapyMycophenolate Mofetil plus CNIs + steroids142500 mg/d at 1 wk; 1000-1500 mg/d at 2-3 wk; 2000 mg/d thereafterCNI dose was withdraw completely in 12 wk later