In order to avoid cyclosporine (CsA) nephrotoxicity and rejection, especially during the early posttransplant periods, different immunosuppression regimens have been adopted. A prospective trial was conducted to evaluate the benefits of initially low CsA doses associated with antilymphoblast globulin and steroids in the first days after transplant, in comparison with higher doses of CsA and steroids. Between 1/86 and 1/88, two groups of first-cadaver renal transplant recipients were documented based on the immunosuppression regimen used. In group A (n = 50), oral CsA was started at 8 mg/kg/day and subsequent doses adjusted to maintain CsA whole-blood levels between 300 and 600 ng/ml. Horse ALG at 10 mg/kg was given the day after transplant and on alternate days to a maximum of 6 doses. After 3 doses, ALG was stopped if CsA blood levels were equal to or greater than 400 ng/ml. ALG dosage modifications were made in order to maintain peripheral CD3+ cells between 10 and 20%. Prednisone was given at 0.25 mg/kg/day. In group B (n = 50), oral CsA was started at 15 mg/kg/day. The CsA whole-blood levels were maintained between 300 and 800 ng/ml. Prednisone was administered at 0.5 mg/kg/day. The incidence of postransplant renal failure was the same in both groups (16%), but the duration of oliguria was lower in group A than in group B (3.3 +/- 2 vs. 16.2 +/- 10.7 days, P less than 0.05), as well as the incidence of acute rejection during the first 3 months (18% vs. 40%, P = 0.01. The cumulative doses of CsA and steroids were significantly lower in group A than in group B. Mean serum creatinine at 6 and 12 months remained similar in both groups. There was no difference between the 2 groups in the incidence of infection. There was no mortality in either group. The actuarial graft survival was significantly higher in group A than in group B at one (100% vs. 94%), two (97% vs. 87%), and three years (89% vs. 73%), respectively (P = 0.041). In summary, the triple regimen using simultaneously low-dose CsA, ALG, and steroids minimizes early graft dysfunction, provides efficient immunosuppression without severe infections, and gives good long-term patient and graft survival.