Back
For best output, select "Paper Size" as "A4" and "Margin" as "0" or "None".
To save or print to PDF, please select Print Destination > Save as PDF, enable Background Graphics under "More Settings", then click "Save".
During the congress, E-Posters will be accessible to all participants on the congress website 24/7, as well as in the E-poster stations in the congress center.
Preparing your E-Poster
Please review the E-Poster format requirements carefully when preparing your E-Poster. Should your E-Poster not meet the mentioned requirements, it may not be displayed as described above.
E-Poster Submission Deadline
Please prepare and upload your E-Poster no later than March 14, 2026 11.59PM CET. After this date, you will no longer be able to prepare and upload your E-poster and it will not be displayed and accessible on the congress website.
Please follow the instructions below to input your abstract title.
Abstract titles should be brief and reflect the content of the abstract.
Tacrolimus is the cornerstone of maintenance immunosuppression after kidney transplantation. The once-daily prolonged-release formulation was developed to simplify dosing and potentially improve adherence relative to the conventional twice-daily immediate-release regimen. The comparative efficacy, safety, and adherence of these formulations remain uncertain.
We systematically searched PubMed and Scopus from inception to August 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective comparative studies directly comparing prolonged-release with immediate-release tacrolimus in adults. Primary outcomes were renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] and serum creatinine), pharmacokinetics (trough concentration), adherence, and safety. Pooled effects were summarized as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Twelve studies (n=2,410) met inclusion criteria, including eight RCTs and four prospective conversion studies. Meta-analysis of eight studies showed no difference in eGFR (SMD 0.06; 95% CI −0.04 to 0.15; I²=0%). Three studies comparing serum creatinine yielded an SMD of 0.07 (95% CI −1.81 to 1.94; I²=96%), indicating no significant between-group difference despite substantial heterogeneity. Tacrolimus trough concentrations were comparable (SMD −0.06; 95% CI −0.53 to 0.42), suggesting similar steady-state exposure. Rates of biopsy-proven acute rejection, all-cause mortality, and serious adverse events were similar between prolonged-release and immediate-release formulation. Qualitative synthesis of adherence outcomes indicated better dose implementation with once-daily prolonged-release in at least one RCT, with overall evidence favoring improved adherence but limited by small numbers and heterogeneous measures
In adult kidney transplant recipients, once-daily prolonged-release tacrolimus provides efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic exposure comparable to twice-daily immediate-release tacrolimus. While graft and renal outcomes appear equivalent, the once-daily regimen may confer an adherence advantage.
