45 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
A randomized controlled study to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and overall benefit of FCR001 cell therapy in de novo living donor renal transplantation.
This study will determine whether a preparatory regimen including total lymphoid irradiation (TLI), total body irradiation (TBI), anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and infusion of the donor hematopoietic stem cells when given along with recipient regulatory T cells (Tregs) will allow for eventual discontinuation of anti-rejection drugs after living donor kidney transplantation.
The investigators' primary aim is to determine the impact of using hybrid closed-loop (HCL) system in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) prior to kidney transplantation. The investigators will also determine whether HCL, by improving glucose control, will affect short-term (1 month) and long-term (12 months) complications after kidney transplantation in patients with T1D.
The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of cellular immunotherapy with MDR-101 for induction of functional immune tolerance in recipients of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched, living donor kidney transplants.
In this study, patients undergoing live donor kidney transplantation will be allocated to the control group or remote ischemic preconditioning group (RIPC). RIPC is the utilization of short periods of ischemia to provide protection of the myocardium or other organ (i.e. kidney) from a subsequent ischemic event. Before allograft implantation, RIPC will be accomplished in the treatment group donor and control group donor by inducing intermittent extremity ischemia through intermittent inflation of an extremity tourniquet three times for five-minute intervals with five minutes of deflation between inflation periods. The monitored clinical end points will include total urine output following kidney reperfusion over five days, plasma creatinine declination over five days, initiation of dialysis, and development of graft injury. Magnitude of graft injury is the primary endpoint and will be measured using biochemical markers, such as, plasma and urinary concentration of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). The sample size calculation is based on a projected difference of NGAL levels between the two study arms. Hall et al reported a mean NGAL level of 49 mg/mL (SD = 37 mg/mL) for a group of patients that had immediate graph function and a mean NGAL level of 248 mg/mL in a group of patients with slow graft function. (which Hall reference is this) Based on these data, a conservative estimate of a mean difference between study groups will be considered 35 mg/mL NGAL. Using these assumptions, an alpha level of 0.05 and 80% power, a sample size of n= 19 per study group will be calculated. By rejecting our null hypothesis, RIPC may serve as a safe, cost-effective protective strategy to prevent allograft injury in the clinical setting of live donor kidney transplantation.
Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is the optimal treatment for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). But, the evaluation process for a kidney transplant is lengthy, time consuming, and burdensome to the patient. Also, race disparities exist in rates of transplant evaluation completion, transplantation, and LDKT. Our previous and ongoing NIDDK-funded research indicates that cultural factors (i.e., perceived discrimination in health care, religious objection to LDKT), transplant knowledge, and demographic characteristics (e.g., age, education, income) independently and significantly predict time to complete transplant evaluation. In December 2012 the investigators' transplant center implemented a one-day streamlined evaluation process, dubbed Kidney Transplant Fast Track (KTFT), but it has not been evaluated for efficacy or cost effectiveness. Thus, the investigators propose a quasi-experiment to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the KTFT (n=1030) compared to historical controls (n=1140) who were recruited for the investigators' current NIDDK study to increase transplant rates. At the same time, the investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) targeting vulnerable patients with the educational component of the TALK intervention (Talking About Live Kidney Donation) to increase LDKT. For both components of the proposal, the investigators will target vulnerable populations because they are most at risk for extended evaluation times and lower rates of LDKT. Using CONSORT standards, participants will be randomly assigned to TALK (n=515) versus no-TALK (n=515) conditions and undergo two interviews at pre-transplant work-up and at completion of transplant evaluation in order to: (1) test whether KTFT and TALK will reduce transplant evaluation time, and increase rates of transplant and LDKT in members of vulnerable groups; (2) determine whether engaging in a streamlined and coordinated-care evaluation experience within the transplant center reduces negative perceptions of the healthcare system; and (3) test the cost effectiveness of the KTFT with TALK relative to standard practices. The results of this two-pronged approach will help pave the way for other transplant centers to implement a fast-track system at their sites, improve quality of care by transplanting a larger number of vulnerable patients, and may help address stark race/ethnic disparities in rates of LDKT.
Because of the deceased donor organ shortage, more kidney patients are considering whether to receive kidneys from family and friends, a process called living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). Although Blacks are 3.4 times more likely to develop end stage renal disease, they are less likely to receive LDKTs. To address this disparity, this randomized controlled trial will assess whether Black and White transplant patients' knowledge and receipt of LDKTs can be increased when they receive access to the Your Path to Transplant computerized Expert System (YPT). This trial will also examine how other known patient, family, and healthcare system barriers to LDKT impact YPT's effectiveness. Nine hundred (900) Black,White and Hispanic ESRD patients presenting for transplant medical evaluation at University of California-Los Angeles Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program (UCLA-KPTP) in Los Angeles, California will be stratified by race and randomly assigned to one of two education conditions (YPT vs. Usual Care Education). As they undergo transplant evaluation, patients in the YPT condition will receive individually-tailored feedback reports, coaching, and socioeconomic resource guidance associated with reducing barriers to access to LDKT. Control patients will receive usual care transplant education provided by UCLA-KPTP. Changes in knowledge, readiness to pursue LDKT, pros/cons to LDKT, and self-efficacy will be assessed at four time points: prior to presenting at the transplant center (baseline), during transplant evaluation (approximately 2 months post-baseline), and 4- and 8-months post-baseline. Completion of transplant evaluation and receipt of LDKTs will be assessed 18-months post-baseline. At the conclusion of the study, we will have developed an innovative and cost-effective YPT Computerized Expert System that could be utilized to tailor LDKT discussion and education in different medical settings based on the needs of individual patients of different races.
Regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells (Treg) derived from the thymus and/or peripheral tissues have been demonstrated to broadly control T cell reactivity (14). Importantly, Tregs have been shown to control immune responsiveness to alloantigens and significantly contribute to operational tolerance in transplantation models (15, 16). However, there have been limited efforts to harness the therapeutic potential of directly isolated CD4+CD25+ Treg cells for controlling graft rejection and inducing transplantation tolerance, such as for kidney transplants. In order for CD4+CD25+ Treg cells to be used as a clinical treatment, the following cell properties could be necessary: ex vivo generation of sufficient numbers of cells, migration in vivo to sites of antigenic reactivity, ability to suppress rejection in an alloantigen-specific manner, and survival/expansion after infusion for a critical, but currently unknown, period of time. Our published work and that of other investigators has demonstrated 1) the feasibility of expanding Treg ex vivo, 2) the ability of these cells to downregulate allogeneic immune responses in vitro, and 3) the efficacy of Treg for prevention of allograft rejection in animal models (15,16). We have developed strategies for the ex vivo expansion of naturally occurring human Tregs (nTregs) that allow for the practical employment of this cellular therapy in the clinic. Our central hypothesis is that sufficient human nTreg can be expanded ex vivo and used to both prevent renal transplant rejection and facilitate the reduction and subsequent withdrawal of drug-based immunosuppression. This study will allow for us to define the safety of Treg adoptive cellular transfer (TRACT) in living donor renal transplant recipients that draws upon our extensive preclinical experience with expanded Tregs, as well as our recognized clinical expertise with designing immunosuppressive regimens compatible with this type of therapeutic cell transfer.
The purpose of this trial was to determine the safety and efficacy of eculizumab in the prevention of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in sensitized recipients of a living donor kidney transplant requiring desensitization therapy.
The purpose of this study is to try to determine if the drug eculizumab can help prevent antibody-mediated rejection in patients undergoing a kidney transplant from a living donor with a different blood type than their own.
To determine how safe and effective giving Thymoglobulin before transplantation to patients who are going to be receiving kidney transplants.
To observe in a randomized prospective pilot study the effectiveness and toxicity of Thymoglobulin vs. Campath-1H used for induction therapy in recipients of living donor (LD) kidneys, compared with our standard treatment protocol of Zenapax® and maintenance immunosuppression
A strongly positive crossmatch has long been considered an absolute contraindication to kidney transplantation and most patients with anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody never were able to receive a kidney transplant. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in overcoming early antibody-mediated renal allograft injury. Our group has performed more than 200 such transplants providing the possibility of transplant to previously untransplantable patients. Despite our best efforts, transplantation in these patients is still complicated by a high rate of acute humoral rejection (AHR). Patients included in this study will be those who have demonstrable anti-HLA antibody specific for their living donor. It is our hypothesis that blockade of terminal complement activation at the time of transplant in combination with our current protocols will reduce the incidence of AHR in patients with anti-donor HLA antibody.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a steroid-free and calcineurin-inhibitor free treatment regimen for patients who are receiving a kidney transplant from a living donor that is HLA-identical (has a similar immune system).
Kidney transplantation is a good treatment option for people with kidney disease. However, there is still much to learn about how to best care for the transplanted kidney and keep it functioning for a long time. Transplant recipients receive induction therapy and immunosuppression (anti-rejection) drugs to prevent their body from rejecting the new kidney. These drugs are used to prevent the immune system from attacking the transplanted kidney. This research study will evaluate the safety and activity of mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) infusion compared to saline-only infusion in reducing the immune suppression necessary to achieve optimal renal function in renal transplant recipients. All participants will receive routine care: basiliximab, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids.
This research study is to determine if donor blood stem cells given after living, related, HLA antigen (Ag) haplotype match or living, unrelated donor kidney transplantation. Minimal HLA antigen matching will include matching of 2 HLA antigens that can be either HLA A, B, and /or DR. This research will change the immune system such that immunosuppressive drugs can be completely withdrawn or reduced to minimal dose without kidney rejection.
Laparoscopic nephrectomy (removal of the kidney) is the most common procedure for people donating a kidney to be used for living donor kidney transplantation. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) was a great advance in the field of living donor kidney transplantation due to the many advantages it offers over open nephrectomy, including significantly shorter hospitalization and recovery time, and significantly improved cosmetic result related to the nephrectomy scar(s). More recently, a new procedure has been introduced to the field of laparoscopic nephrectomy, called laparoendoscopic single site donor nephrectomy (LESS-DN). In the LESS-DN procedure, a single natural orifice (the umbilicus or belly button) is used as the single incision site through which the entire donor nephrectomy is performed. The LESS-DN procedure may further decrease donor morbidity by further decreasing length of stay, lessening recovery time, and improving satisfaction with the surgical scar. The investigators propose to evaluate conventional LDN versus a LESS-DN in a randomized, controlled trial in living kidney donors. The investigators will compare operative times and intra-operative donor management, intra- and post-operative complications, pain scores, analgesic requirements, length of stay, recovery parameters, surgical scar satisfaction, and function and survival of the transplanted kidney for the two groups of subjects: (1) the group that has the conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy; and, (2) the group that has the laparoendoscopic single site donor nephrectomy.
The purpose of this study is to observe in a randomized prospective study the effectiveness and toxicity of Thymoglobulin vs. Campath-1H used for induction therapy in recipients of living donor (LD) kidneys, compared with the investigators standard treatment protocol of Zenapax® and maintenance immunosuppression.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of using lulizumab pegol with tocilizumab, belatacept, and everolimus in kidney transplant recipients.
Antibody Mediated Rejection (AMR) is a major complication of solid organ transplantation. The main reason for AMR is pre-formed, or de-novo, donor specific antibodies against the donor human leukocyte antigens (HLA). Additional potential targets are antibodies against MIC-A antigens or antibodies against targets expressed on the donor endothelial cells. Until recently, no specific means were available to test for the presence of donor-specific endothelial cell antibodies. The newly introduced XM-One AbSorber® assay allows isolating precursor endothelial cells from donor peripheral blood, and thus assessing the presence of donor-specific endothelial cell antibodies. XM-One AbSorber® is an in-vitro assay that allows for the specific enrichment of precursor endothelial cells which in turn promotes endothelial cells specific cross match testing. This assay is currently being used in an on-going Northwestern University (NU) research study (STU#00029988). The preliminary results of this study indicate that indeed some of the patients test positive against their respective donors. One potential explanation for this observation, that was not previously entertained, is that the antibodies causing the positive cross match response are actually of autoimmune nature. In order to rule-out such a potential explanation the investigators would like to further test these patients by performing an autologous XM-One AbSorber® assay in which the recipient sera will be incubated with the patients' own cells (as opposed to the respective donor cells in the parental study). This information is crucial for proper analysis of the data obtained in the NU STU#00029988 study.
The purpose of this study is: * To see if polyTregs can reduce inflammation in a transplanted kidney. * To find out what effects, good or bad, polyTregs will have in the kidney recipient. * To find out what effects, good or bad, taking everolimus after polyTregs will have in the kidney recipient.
The primary purpose of this study is to test different methods by which kidney transplant centers can educate potential transplant candidates about living donor kidney transplant (LDKT). The most effective ways to educate kidney transplant candidates about LDKT remain unclear. The goal is to determine, among a diverse cohort of potential kidney transplant candidates, whether a transplant center-based intervention will increase understanding of the opportunities for and process, risks, and benefits of living kidney donation and LDKT. The investigators hypothesize that kidney transplant candidates' understanding of living kidney donation and LDKT will be increased by interventions implemented at the transplant center on the day of transplant evaluation. The investigators propose a single-center, 2-arm, cluster-randomized, controlled trial to compare the effects of two educational strategies upon transplant candidates' understanding of living kidney donation and LDKT: 1. Usual transplant education implemented by the transplant center, on the day of the transplant evaluation (standard care); and 2. Intensive initial transplant education implemented on the day of the transplant evaluation. Intensive initial transplant education will utilize videos of living donors' experiences as well as a session with a trained Transplant Educator, who will focus upon living donation education. One week after the transplant evaluation day and 3 months later, the investigators will assess transplant candidates' knowledge of LDKT (using questionnaires), identify correlates of increased understanding of LDKT, and assess racial/ethnic differences in the understanding of LDKT.
There are significant and persistent disparities in access to kidney transplantation and as a result most patients with end stage renal disease receive hemodialysis (HD). HD is unique as it is a treatment performed in a group setting which lends itself to forming social networks. The goal of this research study is to identify and characterize the social networks of HD patients and measure the influence of HD social networks on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards transplantation using repeated surveys and a network targeted educational intervention.
This project will study how kidney care for everyone despite race can reduce racial differences in care and improve access to kidney transplants, and specifically living donor kidney transplants (LDKT), for individuals with chronic kidney disease. A study focused on equality and patient needs (called 'STEPS') will 1) create a program to identify people who may need a kidney transplant ('STEPS Surveillance') and find people in health systems who may be able to receive kidney transplants early in their care and (2) study how well the 'STEPS Outreach' program works (comprised of transplant social workers and transplant coordinators who focus on equality and patient needs) compared to usual care to improve access to kidney transplants among Black and non-Black individuals as well as to improve access to transplants for everyone.
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways are designed to optimize perioperative management, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction through multimodal techniques. Living kidney transplant donors are typically healthy individuals who undergo laparoscopic nephrectomy. The most significant hindrance to discharge to return to activities of daily living is frequently return of bowel function and postoperative pain. Through a randomized controlled trial design, we will evaluate the effectiveness of implementing an ERAS pathway. We hypothesize that preoperative patient optimization through exercise, carbohydrate loading, and counseling on expectations, in addition to multimodal pain management strategies which limit opioids would allow faster recovery, early bowel function, decreased postoperative pain, increased patient satisfaction and shorter length of stay. The study population will include a total of 42 patients (age 18-80) who are American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status (PS) 1-3, undergoing living donor nephrectomy. Our primary outcome measures will be postoperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcome measures are: postoperative pain score, time to return of bowel function, ambulation, first oral intake postoperatively, and patient satisfaction scores. Other objectives include reducing readmissions, shorter hospital length of stay and decreased operative complications, including nausea, vomiting and wound infection.
The investigators are interested in whether or not the use of a mobile health (mHealth) application increases the rate of follow-up compliance among living kidney donors. The investigators aim to test this by randomly assigning living kidney donors to the intervention (use of mHealth application to complete required living kidney donor follow-up at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years) or control arm (standard of care) upon discharge from their initial donation hospitalization, and tracking follow-up compliance over time. The study population will be approximately 400 living kidney donors who undergo donor nephrectomy at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital (200/year for 2 years). The investigators will also recruit patients from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center into the study, however, these study participants are not a part of the Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT).
This study evaluates whether using small financial incentives increases patient compliance with nationally-mandated living kidney donor follow-up at 6-months, 1-year, and 2-years after donation. Half of participants will receive a financial incentive (mailed gift card) after completing required follow-up activities (brief questionnaire and lab draw), while the other half will be asked to complete the required follow-up activities but will not receive a financial incentive (current standard of care).
An open-label study to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of FCR001 cell therapy in adult recipients 3-12 months after kidney transplantation from a living donor.
This is an open label, single-center, randomized phase IV pilot study of steroid and calcineurin inhibitor avoidance in renal transplant recipients. All patients will receive two doses of alemtuzumab to achieve peripheral T-cell depletion. Intravenous glucocorticoids will be administered prior to alemtuzumab administration to limit cytokine release syndrome in association with this monoclonal antibody, and continued for the first two days post-transplant. Thereafter, steroids will not be used for immunosuppression. All transplant recipients will be started on oral immunosuppressive therapy with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) prior to transplant. Pretransplant, these patients will be randomized to receive, in addition, either tacrolimus (Tac) or sirolimus. After six months, patients in the tacrolimus arm who do not experience rejection will be randomized to continue on tacrolimus or to be converted to the combination of sirolimus and MMF. Individuals in this arm of the study who do not experience acute rejection, and demonstrate evidence of donor specific hyporesponsiveness at 9 months post-transplant (those staying on Tac + MMF) or 3 months post-conversion (those converted from Tac + MMF to sirolimus + MMF) will be weaned to MMF monotherapy. Individuals in the sirolimus + MMF arm who do not experience acute rejection and demonstrate evidence of donor specific hyporesponsiveness at 6 months post-transplant will be weaned to MMF monotherapy.
For most of the patients in the United States with end stage renal disease (ESRD), kidney transplantation represents the optimal treatment, and living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is preferable. Nevertheless, there are pervasive racial disparities in access to LDKT. The main outcome of this study is change in the proportion of study participants who have at least one living donor inquiry by friends/family over study period.The long-term objective is to understand the combined effect of a systems-level intervention (Transplant Referral EXchange or T-REX) and a culturally-sensitive individual-level educational intervention (web-based Living ACTS: About Choices in Transplantation and Sharing) on racial disparities in access to LDKT.