Calcineurin Inhibitor (CNI) Versus Steroid Cessation in Renal Transplantation

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female recipients of a de novo kidney transplant, aged above 18 years * Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test with sensitivity equal to at least 50 mIU/ml * Patients must be capable of understanding the purpose and risks of the study, and must sign an informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * Multiple organ transplantation (e.g., Kidney-pancreas, kidney-heart, kidney- liver,...) * Transplantation of a patient who got another organ transplant previously * Recipients of a HLA-identical living-related renal transplant * Patients with PRA \> 30%, patients who have lost a first graft from rejection within two years after transplantation, and African European patients. * Patients with primary renal disease at risk for recurrence: FSGS, MPGN, HUS * Pregnant or lactating women * WBC \< 2.5 x 109/l (IU), platelet count \< 100 x 109/l (IU), or Hb \< 6 g/dl at the time of entry into the study * Active peptic ulcer * Severe diarrhea or other gastrointestinal disorder, which might interfere with their ability to absorb oral medication, including diabetic patients with previously diagnosed diabetic gastroenteropathy * Known HIV-1 or HTLV-1 positive tests * The use of investigational drugs or other immunosuppressive drugs, as those specified in this protocol * Patients receiving bile acid sequestrants * Psychological illness or condition, interfering with the patient's compliance or ability to understand the requirements of the study