Outcomes of Interleukin-2 Receptor Antagonist Induction Therapy in Standard-Risk Renal Transplant Recipients Maintained on Tacrolimus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The additive benefit of interleukin-2 receptor antagonist (IL2-RA) induction in standard-risk kidney transplant recipients, while maintained on tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive therapy, is uncertain. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We divided the studies included in this meta-analysis into 2 groups: group A (included studies that used same dose of tacrolimus in both arms of each study) and group B (included studies that compared patients who received induction therapy and low-dose tacrolimus vs. those who received no-induction therapy and high dose of tacrolimus). <b><i>Results:</i></b> In group A, 11 studies were included (<i>n</i> = 2,886). IL2-RA induction therapy was not associated with significant differences in comparison to no-induction therapy in terms of acute rejection rates at 6 months post-transplant (risk ratio = 1.12 and 95% confidence interval [CI] range: 0.94–1.35) or graft survival at 1 year post-transplant (risk ratio = 0.78 and 95% CI range: 0.45–1.36). In group B, 2 studies were included (<i>n</i> = 669). There was no difference between both arms in terms of acute rejection rates (risk ratio = 0.62, with 95% CI range: 0.33–1.14) or graft survival (risk ratio = 1 and 95% CI range: 0.57–1.74). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> IL2-RA induction therapy does not improve outcomes in patients maintained on tacrolimus-based immunotherapy in standard-risk population.