Astellas' says Advagraf represents step forward in post-transplant adherence

The problem of non-adherence to immunosuppressive anti-rejection regimens by transplant recipients is one of the major challenges faced by health care professionals working in organ transplantation. While real progress has been made in the prevention of acute rejection, with most organ transplant procedures now having one-year graft survival rates of between 80% and 90%, it is estimated that 20%-30% of transplant recipients fail to adhere to vital post-operative treatment programs, and that 40%-60% of cases of late organ rejection result from such action.

Astellas' Advagraf targets adherence

The 13th Congress of the European Society for Organ Transplantation, held in the Czech Republic's capital Prague, saw a discussion of Japanese drugmaker Astellas' new immunosuppressive agent Advagraf (tacrolimus prolonged-release). The drug, which is a once-daily formulation of the firm's market leading product Prograf, is designed to improve adherence and thereby reduce the incidence of chronic graft rejection.