Evaluates the effectiveness and safety of tacrolimus and cyclosporin as
immunosuppressants. Focus on a large group of liver transplant recipients; Measurement of
the prevention of rejection; Simultaneous utilization of the agents with low-dose
corticosteroid therapy.

Studies in the USA and Japan have shown that tacrolimus (FK506) is a potent
immunosuppressant. To compare the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus-based and
conventional cyclosporin-based immunosuppressive regimens we recruited 545 liver
transplant recipients from eight European centres into a randomised open trial. Analysis of
the data at 12 months post-transplant showed that tacrolimus was associated with a
significant reduction in acute, refractory acute, and chronic rejection episodes. The rates …