Abstract
The renal transplant scenario has changed profoundly in the last 2 decades in both the typology of donors and recipients. This phenomenon has not been accompanied by a significant renewal of the therapeutic arsenal in maintenance therapy, which needs to be more versatile and adapted to the new needs of personalized therapy. Compared to traditional drugs, the only concrete innovation is represented by lymphocyte costimulation inhibitors whose progenitor, and for now the only representative in current practice, is Belatacept with characteristics of absent nephrotoxicity and metabolic impact on dyslipidemia and glucose metabolism, and greater prevention compared to calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in the development of donor-specific antibodies. Data from randomized clinical trials clearly indicate a significant long-term GFR gain compared to CNIs. The risk of acute rejections post-conversion to Belatacept is averted by more recent imbrication protocols with CNI. The association with mTOR inhibitors appears promising, allowing us to exploit some peculiar characteristics of this class. In conclusion, new maintenance immunosuppressive regimens may benefit from the synergy of established drugs with belatacept possessing unique characteristics.