Mycophenolate mofetil-based immunosuppressive minimization and withdrawal strategies in renal transplantation: possible risks and benefits

The toxicity of standard triple-therapy immunosuppressive regimens has been identified as a possible factor in the failure to extend long-term renal allograft survival despite a continued decline of acute rejection rates. The result has been increasing focus on the use of mycophenolate mofetil-based, low-toxicity immunosuppressive regimens, which have been shown in randomized studies to have the potential to improve long-term graft survival. This Clinical Update discusses the likely risks and benefits for switching the immunosuppressive regimen in clinical practice.