Tacrolimus Trough Levels, Rejection and Renal Impairment in Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

We hypothesized that current trough concentrations of tacrolimus after liver transplantation are set too high, considering that clinical consequences of rejection are not severe while side effects are increased. We systematically reviewed 64 studies (32 randomized controlled trials and 32 observational studies) to determine how lower tacrolimus trough concentrations than currently recommended affect acute rejection rates and renal impairment. Among randomized trials the mean of tacrolimus trough concentration during the first month was positively correlated with renal impairment within 1 year (r = 0.73; p = 0.003), but not with acute rejection, either defined using protocol biopsies (r =−0.37; p = 0.32) or not (r = 0.11; p = 0.49). A meta‐analysis of randomized trials directly comparing tacrolimus trough concentrations (five trials for acute rejection [n = 957] and two trials for renal impairment [n = 712]) showed that “reduced tacrolimus” trough concentrations (10 ng/mL). Lower trough concentrations of tacrolimus (6–10 ng/mL during the first month) would be more appropriate after liver transplantation. Regulatory authorities and the pharmaceutical industry should allow changes of regulatory drug information. Evaluation of trough concentrations of tacrolimus after liver transplantation indicate that lower concentrations than currently recommended are safe in terms of acute cellular rejection, while reducing rates of renal impairment.