Basiliximab does not reduce the early rejection incidence in high-risk kidney recipients under tacrolimus-based immunosuppression.

This study sought to evaluate the benefit of addition of basiliximab to tacrolimus-based immunosuppression among high-risk renal transplantations. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the basiliximab induction group (n = 55) and a risk-matched control group (n = 57). Graft survivals rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 98.1%, and 91.8%, respectively, for the control and 96.2%, 93.9%, and 76.4%, respectively, for the basiliximab group (P = .083). Patient survivals rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 98.3%, 98.3%, and 98.3%, respectively, for the control group and 98.2%, 94.2%, and 94.2%, respectively, for the basiliximab group (P = .277). Biopsy-proven acute rejection (AR) within 12 months occurred among 24.6% and 18.2% for the control and induction groups, respectively (P = .492). Serum creatinine levels at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 1.23 +/- 0.30, 1.38 +/- 0.41, 1.47 +/- 0.61, and 1.44 +/- 0.67 mg/dL, respectively, among the control and 1.24 +/- 0.28, 1.40 +/- 0.38, 1.40 +/- 0.36, and 1.63 +/- 1.62 mg/dL, respectively, among the induction group. In conclusion, this study showed that the addition of basiliximab to tacrolimus-based immunosuppression did not further improve the results of high-risk kidney transplantations in terms of reducing AR, prolonging graft survival, or improving renal function.