November 22, 2011
1 min read
Save

Sirolimus reduced skin cancer incidence in renal transplant recipients

ASN Renal Week 2011

PHILADELPHIA — The use of sirolimus led to a statistically significant reduction in the number of skin cancers among kidney transplant patients, according to data presented here. The research was conducted in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

In the study, 155 renal transplant recipients were randomly assigned to sirolimus (n=74) or immunosuppression therapy (n=81). Patients were evaluated every 3 months, and followed for 2 years, according to researchers.

The adjusted relative risk for developing new squamous cell carcinomas was 0.36 per year, amounting to a 64% reduction in risk among patients treated with sirolimus.

However, 29 patients in the sirolimus group stopped treatment due to adverse events, according to the abstract.

For more information:

Disclosure: Dr. van den Akker received funding from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which is now Pfizer.

Twitter Follow EndocrineToday.com on Twitter.