Use of Sirolimus vs. Tacrolimus For African-American Renal Transplant Recipients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Sirolimus (Rapamune) in improving the function of the transplant kidney, without any increase in the risk of acute rejection or adverse side effects, compared with Tacrolimus (Prograf). We hypothesize that Sirolimus, as one component of a long-term steroid-free immunosuppressive regimen, will be effective in maintaining a low incidence of acute rejection and a short- and long-term graft survival comparable to Tacrolimus with better graft function in the high-risk African-American renal transplant population with immediate graft function.