Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40216413›Full record

SynthesisBMJ open respiratory research2025

Tacrolimus versus cyclosporine immunosuppression in lung transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tyler Pitre, Samuel Gurupatham, Kairavi Desai, Matthew Binnie, Tereza Martinu, Stephen Juvet, Dena Zeraatkar

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisComparative Study
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMJ open respiratory research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Tyler PitreDivision of Respirology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada tyler.pitre@medportal.ca.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3015-0723
Samuel GurupathamDivision of Respirology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Kairavi DesaiDepartment of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Matthew BinnieDivision of Respirology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Tereza MartinuDivision of Respirology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Stephen JuvetDivision of Respirology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Dena ZeraatkarHealth Research Impact and Evidence, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe relative efficacy of calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and cyclosporine in lung transplantation remains unclear. To clarify, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis.

methodsWe searched through EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane CENTRAL until 23 October 2023 for randomised trials comparing tacrolimus with cyclosporine in lung transplant recipients. Data extraction and bias risk assessment were done independently. Analyses included random effects pairwise meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis, with GRADE system for evidence certainty.

resultsWe found four eligible trials totalling 662 patients. Tacrolimus significantly reduces the risk of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (RR 0.46, high certainty) and likely decreases acute rejection risk (RR 0.83, moderate certainty), with no clear difference in mortality (RR 1.08, low certainty). It may raise new-onset diabetes mellitus (RR 4.17, low certainty) and renal dysfunction risks (RR 1.27, low certainty).

conclusionTacrolimus likely lowers acute rejection and chronic dysfunction risks in lung transplant recipients without improving survival rates. However, it might increase the chances of developing diabetes mellitus and renal dysfunction. These findings guide the choice between tacrolimus and cyclosporine, balancing benefits against potential risks.

Indexed as

CyclosporineGraft RejectionImmunosuppressive AgentsLung TransplantationTacrolimusCalcineurin InhibitorsHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicCalcineurin InhibitorsCyclosporineImmunosuppressive AgentsTacrolimusLung Transplantation

Identifiers

PMID40216413
PMCPMC11987090

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.