Transplant recipients need to continue treatment with immunosuppressants to prevent organ rejection. These medications can have a number of side effects, one of which is the development of cancer. A new study shows switching to a newer type of immunosuppressant drug may reduce the high rate of skin cancer after kidney transplantation.
 
The new class of immunosuppressants are called mTOR inhibitors. The study included kidney transplant patients who previously had skin cancer, placing them at higher risk of new skin cancers. Researchers found patients who switched to the new drug had a significantly lower rate of new skin cancers.    

This article originally appeared in the December 2009 issue of Kidney Transplant Today.