Efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil combined with topical 0.05%tacrolimus in high-risk keratoplasty:1-year cohort study

AIM:To investigate the efficacy of systemic mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)as an adjunct in combination with topical tacrolimus(FK506)and corticosteroid eyedrops for preventing corneal graft rejection after high-risk keratoplasty(HRK).METHODS:In this cohort study,55 consecutive patients(55 eyes)from an eye center who met the criteria of HRK were included.The definition for HRK includes large grafts of no less than 9 mm diameter,vascularized cornea of two or more quadrants,regrafting,or eccentric grafts.After penetrating keratoplasty,25 patients treated with systemic MMF in combination with 0.05%FK506 and tapering corticosteroid eyedrops were enrolled in Group 1 from October 2019.Thirty patients receiving postoperative treatment with 0.05%FK506 and tapering corticosteroid eyedrops alone were enrolled in Group 2 from January 2018 to September 2019.All participants were closely monitored after surgery,and episodes of graft rejection and relevant clinical data were collected and assessed over a one-year follow-up period.RESULTS:After a follow-up of 9.6±3.2mo,graft rejection episodes occurred in 4 cases(16%)in Group 1 and 18 cases(60%)in Group 2.One reversible and 3 irreversible graft rejections occurred in Group 1,while 3 reversible and 15 irreversible rejections occurred in Group 2.Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that 82.5%of grafts in Group 1 and 37.1%in Group 2 did not experience corneal graft rejection(P<0.01,log-rank test).The clear graft survival rate was 83.6%in Group 1 and 36.7%in Group 2(P<0.01,log-rank test)within one year of follow-up.No severe systemic side effects were observed in either group during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION:The triple treatment regimen consisting of MMF,topical FK506,and corticosteroid eyedrops represents a promising strategy for effectively preventing graft rejection and improving graft survival in patients with HRK.