172 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This research study is for patients who are going to receive a kidney transplant from a living donor. After kidney transplantation, it is necessary for transplant recipients to take "immunosuppressive drugs". These drugs work by preventing the body's immune cells from attacking and "rejecting" the new kidney. Taking these drugs long-term may also cause harm to the transplanted kidney. Therefore, the transplant community is very interested in finding ways to decrease immunosuppressive drug treatment and further reduce the risk of kidney rejection. One method to do so is known as "induction of tolerance", which is when the person who receives a transplant has treatment to make their immune cells tolerant to the donor cells. In this study, we will try to induce tolerance by mixing recipient cells and their donor's cells together with belatacept, an immunosuppressive drug. Belatacept is a protein that attaches to immune system cells, interferes with the immune response and results in tolerance induction. After we mix the recipient cells with the donor's cells, we will sort out one particular kind of immune cell, called a regulatory T cell, and inject them back into the recipient. Regulatory T cells are the cells that are affected by induction to reduce rejection of donated organs. This method for inducing tolerance has been used in bone marrow transplantation, but this is the first time it is being done in kidney transplantation. This study is being conducted as part of a unique collaboration of US and EU centers called The ONE Study. The ONE Study centers have agreed to work together using common protocols and procedures but with each testing their own regulatory population for safety and the ability to promote kidney survival. Sharing data among the participating sites will permit a deeper understanding of how and why some treatments might succeed while others work less well.
Trial to test the effect of administering N-acetylcysteine on cytokines and markers of oxidant stress and the incidence of acute renal failure post liver tranplant
The immune system is the body's defense against infection and other disease. After transplantation, the body sees the new organ as "foreign" and tries to destroy or "reject" it. Immunosuppressive medications help to prevent the immune system from attacking a transplanted organ. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of two maintenance immunosuppressive regimens. Subjects who enroll in this study will be randomly selected to have tacrolimus and everolimus (group 1) or tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (group 2) as their immunosuppression medication. This study will enroll adult patients who are scheduled to receive a kidney transplant. The study is designed to understand the mechanisms of Everolimus in regards to kidney function in transplant recipients. The investigators hypothesis is that decreased exposure to Tacrolimus to the immune system will then translate in better renal allograft function.
Background: - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) performs up to 100 allogenic stem cell transplants (allo-HSCT) each year. Many studies already look at different problems that can follow a transplant. But there are many types of transplants, diseases, responses, and treatments. An organized study of this information could help researchers learn more about how often transplant complications occur and what problems they cause. It could also lead to ideas for future research. This study will focus on complications thought to be the most significant. Objectives: - To gather information on the complications that may occur after an allo-HSCT. Eligibility: - People over 2 years of age currently enrolled in an allo-HSCT study at NIH. Design: * Visits for this study will be scheduled along with primary study visits. The number of visits will depend on the primary study schedule. * At each visit, participants will answer questions and take physical exams. * The same questions and physical exams will continue for as long as they are in the primary study. * In between visits, researchers might call participants to discuss their health. They may also discuss the cases with the primary study doctors and other doctors. Primary transplant study doctors will make treatment decisions. * When participation in the primary transplant study ends, participation in this study will also end.
The objective of this study is to compare the effects of two liver transplant immunosuppression regimens on renal function. Patients receiving the standard combination of prednisone and high-dose tacrolimus, a drug with known nephrotoxicity (Arm A) will be compared to patients receiving prednisone, low-dose tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (Arm B). MMF is an immunosuppression agent that has no associated nephrotoxicity. The primary end point of the study will be renal function as measured by glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Thirty pediatric liver transplant recipients will be randomized to these two arms in a 1:1 ratio (i.e. 15 patients in each group). Secondary end points will measure patient and graft outcome and incidence of immunosuppression-related complications, including: neurotoxicity, diabetes mellitus, growth retardation, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia, acute or chronic liver graft rejection, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), viral infections, fungal infections and bacterial infections.
Graft microvascular inflammation poses a significant challenge to successful kidney transplantation due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation. There is a critical need to unravel the clinical significance of newly defined allograft microvascular inflammation phenotypes in the Banff 2022 classification and assess the implications of these new phenotypes on kidney transplant precision diagnostics and patient risk stratification.
This study will compare the performance of Gene Expression Profile (GEP)/ Donor derived cell free deoxyribonucleic acid (dd-cfDNA) tests, to the following tests: Molecular Microscope (MMDx) and histopathology (study of changes in tissues caused by disease) in their ability to diagnose (exactly identify) various types of injury within the transplanted kidney.
The PARK study is a multi-center observational study to assess the performance of the QSant test with kidney biopsy. QSant is a test based on 6 urinary biomarkers that is used for the evaluation and management of acute rejection in renal allograft recipients with clinical suspicion of rejection.
Can the investigators create an effective way to improve adherence to immunosuppressant medication and reduce rejection, graft loss, and death in adolescents and young adults who have undergone kidney or liver transplantation? The investigators' mobile technology intervention uses real-time electronic pillbox-assessed dose timing and text message prompts to address antirejection medication nonadherence when nonadherence is detected.
The incidence of end stage renal disease (ESRD) is rapidly increasing, now affecting an estimated 7.4 million people worldwide. Numerous parameters such as demographic, clinical and functional factors drive the deterioration of the kidney, ultimately leading to ESRD. Although some ESRD prediction models have been derived in the past years, none of these models are dynamic: they do not integrate the repeated measurements recorded throughout individuals' follow-up. As highlighted in several studies, kidney function repeated measurements (i.e., trajectories) are highly associated with graft survival after kidney transplantation. The investigators made the hypothesis that these trajectories may bring relevant information in the context of graft survival risk prediction model. Hence, combining these trajectories with standard graft survival risk factors may enhance prediction performance. This could permit to derive a robust tool that could be updated over time by continuously capturing patient' personal evolution.
The gold standard for characterizing chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is commonly estimated in both native and transplanted kidneys for patient monitoring and therapeutic management and ultimately guides decision-making about whether a patient needs renal replacement therapy. In particular, the National Kidney Foundation has defined CKD stages according to estimated GFR (eGFR) values and in several studies, the eGFR slope or change has been found to be strongly associated with end stage renal disease (ESRD). However, little is known about the heterogeneity of eGFR evolution in time - i.e. eGFR trajectories - and the related progression to ESRD and death. To date, no studies have investigated eGFR trajectories in diversified cohorts and populations worldwide, although this approach could provide a better understanding of CKD evolution and hence improve risk stratification. In addition, determinants of eGFR trajectories remain poorly described. An unsupervised approach could allow examining eGFR trajectories over time and could lead to the identification of patient groups according to the probability of the progression of their kidney disease. Therefore, this study aims: 1. To identify the long-term eGFR trajectories after kidney transplantation using latent class mixed models; 2. To identify the clinical, immunological, histological and functional determinants of the eGFR trajectories using multinomial regressions; 3. To investigate the associations of the eGFR trajectories with the progression to ESRD and death. Based on the results, the investigators will provide an easily accessible tool to calculate personalized probabilities of belonging to eGFR trajectories after kidney transplantation, by using datasets from prospective cohorts and post hoc analysis of randomized control trial datasets.
Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) has shown promise as an early marker for cellular injury caused by rejection. dd-cfDNA changes may also indicate other injuries that lead to progressive decline in transplant organ function associated with, in the case of kidney transplantation, the presence of interstitial fibrosis (IF) and tubular atrophy (TA) seen in biopsy specimens. Here, we will study the utility of dd-cfDNA to predict rejection in pancreas and pancreas-kidney recipients.
This is a prospective cohort observational study to assess the role of AlloSure Donor Derived Cell Free DNA (ddcfDNA) assay in the monitoring of three high-risk groups of kidney transplant patients for antibody mediated processes. * Group A. Thirty participants with a positive Virtual Cross-Match (VXM) at the time of transplant will be monitored for 12 months * Group B. Similarly, 24 participants with dnDSA will undergo a SOC biopsy within approximately three months to determine the incidence of Active Antibody Mediated Rejection (AMR) * Group C. 15 additional participants with the diagnosis of Chronic Active Antibody Mediated Rejection (cAMR) will undergo standard of care therapy and be monitored for treatment response with a follow-up biopsy at three months
The objective of this study is to determine whether cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) measurement can be used as a biomarker for successful treatment of an acute rejection (AR) episode after kidney transplantation. A fall in donor cf-DNA level may be a biomarker for successful AR treatment. The goal is to do an exploratory study to determine, in recipients with biopsy-proven AR, whether persistence or elevated levels of donor cf-DNA are associated with ongoing inflammation at the time of exit biopsy; and whether fall in donor cf-DNA level is associated with successful AR treatment. Measurement of cf-DNA has recently been started for kidney transplant recipients. There will be two groups of patients eligible for this study: 1. those who have had sequential measurement of cf-DNA prior to graft dysfunction leading to a biopsy, and 2. those who have not had previous measurement of cf-DNA
Detecting allograft injury and rejection is critical to preventing graft loss. The current standard of care (SoC) relies on serum creatinine (SC) and biopsy to monitor for and identify kidney injury earlier. SC has poor specificity and sensitivity and response to rejection is often delayed. Protocol biopsy is more accurate but involves the risk of complications. A more definitive, less invasive method for monitoring injury and early rejection is needed. We report on the clinical utility of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in transplant recipients' blood, measured using a novel SNP-based mmPCR NGS methodology, to diagnose allograft injury/rejection. In this study, investigators will measure how use of dd-cfDNA changes clinical practice.
Evaluation Dose Adjustments in Kidney Transplant Patients on Immediate Release and Extended Release Tacrolimus
This study is a comparison of the analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks with ropivacaine bolus plus continuous ropivacaine infusion via catheters versus single shot TAP blocks with liposomal bupivacaine.
The rationale for the current protocol is to collect data from extended follow up in subjects that have received a kidney transplant following imlifidase dosing to provide a better understanding regarding the long-term outcome for these subjects. Data of parameters such as patient and graft survival, comorbidity, treatment of graft rejection episodes and quality of life as well as anti-drug antibody levels will be collected. This prospective, observational follow up study of subjects who have received imlifidase prior to kidney transplantation will provide important data to future prescribers and patients of the potential long-term benefits of imlifidase mediated transplantation.
The primary objective is to compare the effect of treatment with an immediate-release tacrolimus to an extended-release tacrolimus (i.e., Envarsus® XR) immunosuppressive regimen on cognitive and motor function in kidney transplant recipients
The purpose of this protocol is to determine the safety and efficacy of abdominal wall transplantation as a treatment for the reconstruction of abdominal wall defects. Abdominal wall transplantation may be performed alone or in combination with another transplant.
Ten percent of American adults, more than 20 million people, have chronic kidney disease, which in the advanced state of end stage renal disease is most desirably and cost-effectively treated by kidney transplantation. However, 20-30% of transplanted kidneys fail in living recipients by 10 years, owing largely to insufficient monitoring methods. The goal of the proposed research is to improve noninvasive kidney transplant monitoring using a new ultrasound-based imaging method called Viscoelastic Response (VisR) ultrasound.
This study is being done to investigate the impact of changing immunosuppressive medications from tacrolimus (Prograf®) to belatacept (Nulojix®) between three (3) and six (6) months after kidney transplantation. The immune system is the body's defense against infection and other disease. After transplantation, the body sees the new organ as "foreign" and tries to destroy or "reject" it. Immunosuppressive medications help to prevent the immune system from attacking the transplanted organ. The primary purpose of this research study is to evaluate the effects of three (3) different immunosuppressive treatments on rejection in post-transplant kidney recipients. This study will test whether switching from tacrolimus to belatacept will improve long-term kidney function. Three of the immunosuppressants used in this study- mycophenolic acid (MPA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus- are medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used after transplant. All of these medications have been routinely used in kidney recipients here at Northwestern University. Belatacept (the "study drug") has been approved by the FDA for use at the time of transplant. However, the use of belatacept in this study is considered investigational as it has not been FDA approved for use beginning at 3 months after transplant. This study will involve 51 adult kidney transplant recipients at Northwestern.
A recent therapeutic strategy following renal transplantation includes simultaneous use of reduced calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) dosing and maximized use of a non-nephrotoxic, antiproliferative drug (inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) or TOR inhibitor), with the goals of reducing/avoiding CNI nephrotoxicity, the incidence of acute rejection, and chronic allograft injury (CAI) (i.e., interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy), leading to more favorable longer-term patient and graft survival.1-7 Early corticosteroid withdrawal has also been used in the attempt to avoid well-known side effects while maintaining favorable patient and graft survival.8-10 While the investigators center and numerous other centers have also included single agent, antibody induction utilizing the lymphodepleting polyclonal antibody rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin (ATG), nondepleting human anti-interleukin-2 receptor (CD25) monoclonal antibody daclizumab (Dac) or basiliximab, or lymphodepleting humanized anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab,11-17 evidence now suggests that an even more effective induction strategy may include the combined use of more than one induction agent (each with fewer doses than if used alone), with the goal of bringing the kidney transplant recipient even closer (through more effectively timed lymphodepletion) to an optimally immunosuppressed state, allowing further reduction in long-term maintenance drug dosing.18-25 The investigators have now successfully used dual ATG/Dac induction therapy in both kidney-alone23-24 and simultaneous kidney-pancreas (SPK) transplantation,18-20 and a recent report from the investigators center of kidney-alone and SPK recipients shows that the addition of anti-CD25 to ATG for induction therapy more effectively delays the return of peripheral blood CD25+ cells.25 In the kidney-alone recipient study 3 doses of ATG were combined with 2 doses of Dac for induction,23-24 vs. the investigators previous studies utilizing single agent induction with 7 doses of ATG or 5 doses of Dac.4,16,17 Successful combination of ATG/basiliximab as dual induction in kidney transplantation has also been reported elsewhere,21-22 along with equivalency in clinical outcomes using daclizumab vs. basiliximab.13
Donor-Specific Antibody (DSA) (HLA) levels and non-HLA antibody levels in recipients prior to living kidney transplantation and randomize these individuals into a desensitization protocol in order to evaluate shifts that can occur with the Luminex and XM-One assay after treatment and up to 6 months post transplant. If desensitization is needed prior to transplantation in individuals with a negative crossmatch but positive DSA and/or XM-one - patients will be evaluated clinically with routine lab tests (serum creatinine levels, spot urine protein and spot urine creatinine levels) as well as protocol biopsy evaluations.
Purpose of the study: The specific aims of this study are to evaluate overall efficacy and safety of the pre-transplant IVIG treatment in our transplant center since 2007 and to identify factors affecting treatment outcomes in order to improve patient selection and treatment protocols for future patients.
Aim 1: Determine if there is an association between the APOL1 risk variants and allograft survival and function in African Americans Aim 2: Determine if there is an association between the presence of APOL1 risk variants in an African American kidney transplant recipient and the risk of recurrent disease Aim 3: Investigate mechanisms of APOL1 associated kidney disease by prospectively following African American kidney transplant recipients throughout their clinical course.
In an open label analysis, nebivolol has been shown to have a positive impact on quality of life in the general hypertensive population. That is, patients treated with nebivolol reported less side effects compared to those treated with metoprolol. Also, more nebivolol treated patients reached normalization of blood pressure. Although there is no data, it is believed that the impact would be similar in renal transplant recipients. The primary goal of this study is to determine if nebivolol will improve the quality of life measurements of kidney transplant recipients as compared to those treated with metoprolol succinate. This will be measured by comparing the scores of four quality of life questionnaires taken before and after 12 weeks of treatment with study drug. Other aims of this study are to determine if the use of nebivolol is cost-effective in the renal transplant recipient; determine if there is a change in urine protein excretion and renal function with the use of nebivolol; and determine the number of patients that maintain or achieve a target blood pressure of ≤ 120/80 mmHg.
The purpose of the present study is to determine which antibody induction regimen will result in a safer and more effective method to use with steroid avoidance in renal transplant recipients. Patients receiving either first cadaveric or non-HLA identical living donor kidney transplants will be preoperatively randomized into 2 groups.
The purpose of this study is to assess Alefacept in combination with alemtuzumab induction and calcineurin inhibitor and corticosteroid withdrawal.
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that increased dosages of mycophenolic acid in maintenance kidney transplant recipients may cause a reduction in donor-specific antibodies.