Impact of Genetic Polymorphisms on Tacrolimus Trough Blood Concentration in Chinese Liver Transplant Recipients

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of various genetic polymorphisms and clinical factors on tacrolimus (TAC) concentration in the convalescence period (CP) and stabilization period (SP) post-liver transplantation. Patients & methods: A total of 13 SNPs were genotyped in 97 Chinese liver transplant recipients. Associations between SNPs and TAC trough blood concentration/dose ratio (C0/D) were analyzed using different genetic models in both CP and SP. Results: Only five SNPs were significantly associated with TAC log (C0/D) in the CP, and none showed a significant association in the SP. We identified rs15524 (CYP3A5), rs9200 (C6), albumin and creatinine as independent predictors of TAC C0/D in the CP. Furthermore, a final model in the CP explained a total of 30.5% TAC variation. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that in the early stages post-transplantation surgery, recipients’ genetic and clinical factors exert a short-term impact on TAC metabolism that gradually decreases with time.