Corticosteroids in Kidney Transplant Immunotherapy: Rid of the Giant

Corticosteroid use to prevent rejection is ancient but pivotal in transplant immunotherapy. Its benefits are worrisomely being negated by its numerous side effects that affect the quality of life and add to the cost of treatment among transplant patients. The past three decades has witnessed an important dynamism with the advent of many other immunosuppressive agents in various combination protocols, which has led to reports of reduction in episodes of acute rejection. This, in addition to side effects, has raised the question of the need for chronic use of steroid or its avoidance from outset. The benefits of steroid-sparing are compelling especially in low-risk recipients and, recently, paediatric patients. The burden of cardiovascular diseases, the major cause of death in transplant patients, osteopenia and impaired growth among paediatrics confront both patients and their carers. Of concern, however, has been the variation and quality of study designs, which has made the report not only inconsistent but with weak evidence as well. The question still remains whether corticosteroid is disposable. We review corticosteroid use in transplant immunotherapy in the era of improved immunosuppression.