Showing papers by "Mercè Brunet published in 2007"
TL;DR: Chemoembolization using DEBs is an effective procedure with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and after a median follow-up of 27.6 months, 1- and 2-year survival is 92.5% and 88.9%, respectively.
872 citations
TL;DR: In conclusion, sirolimus halted the progression of proteinuria and structural damage in a rat model of reduced renal mass, possibly through a reduction in renal VEGF activity.
Abstract: Many kidney transplant patients experience an increase in proteinuria when converted from a calcineurin inhibitor-based regimen to one based on a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, and preexisting proteinuria and poor renal function have been identified as risk factors for this increase. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, on renal function and histology in a proteinuric model of reduced renal mass. Sirolimus-treated animals had approximately half as much proteinuria as vehicle-treated animals (P < 0.05), and had less glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and inflammation. Immunohistochemistry showed that sirolimus attenuated the increased expression of renal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as the expression of VEGF receptors 1 and 2. In conclusion, sirolimus halted the progression of proteinuria and structural damage in a rat model of reduced renal mass, possibly through a reduction in renal VEGF activity.
58 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest an association between low ATP and IL-10 concentrations and the presence of infection and sequential measurement of these biomarkers in stable renal transplant recipients treated with monotherapy could be useful to evaluate the biological effect of sirolimus in each patient and to establish personalized therapy taking into account the individual response to the drug.
Abstract: Background: Sirolimus is an agent with lymphocyte-specific features similar to those of calcineurin inhibitors but with a different mechanism of action and safety profile. To optimize the use of sirolimus-based immunosuppression, further investigation of appropriate pharmacokinetic (sirolimus exposure) and pharmacodynamic (sirolimus T-cell immunomodulator effect) monitoring is required to determine personalized target concentrations.
20 citations