Long-term Follow-up of Spare the Nephron (STN) Patients

Allograft nephropathy is the most common cause of allograft failure following kidney transplantation. Among putative etiologies, cumulative exposure to calcineurin inhibitors may be one of the important progression factors. "Spare the Nephron"(STN) is a unique study. Patients were randomized to either continue center-specific Calcinerium Inhibitor (CNI) therapy or have CNI replaced with sirolimus within the first six months after transplantation. Approximately 305 patients were enrolled in the study. More than 230 patients finished 2 years of follow-up. There was better patient and graft survival in those converted to sirolimus. There was also a 10% improvement in the kidney function of those who were converted. In this cohort, we wish to explore the durability of this improvement.