Biomarker-guided CNI substitution in Kidney Transplantation Assessment

Overview

About this study

The purpose of the observational study is to determine the HLA-DR/DQ mMM score accurately stratifies kidney transplant recipients into low, intermediate, and high-risk categories for developing post-transplant alloimmune injury to the transplanted kidney.  The HLA-DR/DQ mMM score category will prognosticate risk of developing TCMR (clinically evident and subclinical), DSA and/or ABMR in the entire study cohort: higher HLA-DR/DQ mMM score confers higher likelihood of developing TCMR, DSA and or ABMR.

The purpose of the nested RCT intervention is to determine transitioning immune quiescent kidney transplant recipients with low or intermediate HLA-DR/DQ mMM scores from a standard of care regimen to a CNI-free, abatacept-based regimen is safe and will lead to improved:

    1.  

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

Observational Study:

1. Subject must be able to understand and provide informed consent

2. Received (within 14 days) or candidate for an ABO-compatible kidney transplant,
including A2 to B

3. Panel Reactive Antibody <=60% as determined by local site

4. Virtual cross-match negative as determined by local site or Donor Specific Antibody
(DSA) negative by central lab within 14 days post-transplant

5. Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test upon
study entry

6. All subjects with reproductive potential must agree to use highly effective
contraception for the duration of the study (http://www.fda.gov/birthcontrol)

7. Hepatitis C Virus Ab positive subjects with negative Hepatitis C Virus polymerase
chain reaction (HCV PCR) are eligible if they have spontaneously cleared infection or
are in sustained virologic remission

8. Vaccines up to date as per Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT)
guidance for patients in transplant trials (Refer to Manual of Procedures).

9. Triple Immunosuppression - Calcineurin Inhibitor/Mycophenolic Acid/Steroid
(CNI/MPA/steroid)

1. CNI (Tacrolimus (TAC), target trough [C0] level: 0-3 mo, 8-12 ng/mL; 4-6 mo, 6-10
ng/mL; >6 mo, 5-8 ng/mL])

2. MPA [target dose: mycophenolate mofetil >=500 mg bid or mycophenolate sodium
>=360 mg bid]); and

3. Glucocorticoid, with a minimum dose equivalent to 5mg of prednisone per day

Nested Randomized Control Trial (RCT):

1. Subject must be able to understand and provide informed consent

2. A 6-month protocol biopsy free of Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection (BPAR)(by Central
Pathology Core)

3. Negative 6-month serum test for DSA (by Central HLA Core)

4. eGFRCKD-EPI 30-90 ml/min/1.73m^2 at 6 months

5. Has a verified negative purified protein derivative (PPD) or negative testing for
tuberculosis using an approved IGRA blood test, such as QuantiFERON Gold TB or
T-SPOT-TB assay OR has completed treatment for latent tuberculosis and has a negative
chest x-ray. PPD or IGRA testing must occur within 52 weeks prior to randomization.
These requirements apply as well to prior recipients of Bacille Calmette-Gurin (BCG)
vaccination

6. Minimum Mycophenolate mofetil (MPA) dose (MPA 500 mg po bid, or Mycophenolate sodium
360 mg po bid)

7. Minimum Prednisone dose of 5mg per day

8. Hepatitis C Virus Ab positive subjects with negative HCV PCR are eligible if they have
spontaneously cleared infection or are in sustained virologic remission

9. Hepatitis C Virus negative recipients of a Hepatitis C Virus positive organ are
eligible if they have undergone treatment and are in sustained virologic remission

10. Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test upon
study entry

11. All subjects with reproductive potential, must agree to use highly effective
contraception the duration of the study-specific methods may be listed, if applicable

Exclusion Criteria:

Observational Study:

1. Inability or unwillingness of a participant to give written informed consent or comply
with study protocol including a mandated 6-mo kidney transplant biopsy

2. Non-Kidney Transplant (KTx) (pre-existing or concurrent)

3. Current use of immunomodulatory agents (including but not limited to: Rituximab,
anti-Tumor necrosis factor(TNF) Monoclonal antibodies (mAb), or Belatacept, abatacept,
Janus kinase inhibitors)

4. Transplant in which the kidney donor is the recipient's Identical twin

5. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sero-negative KTx recipient

6. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

7. Untreated Latent Tuberculosis (TB)

8. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

9. Active Hepatitis B infection (HBsAg+ or anti-HBcore +)

10. Enrollment in another investigational trial

11. Current, diagnosed, mental illness or current, diagnosed or self-reported drug or
alcohol abuse that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the
participant's ability to comply with study requirements

12. Recent recipient of any licensed or investigational live attenuated vaccine(s) within
4 weeks of enrollment

13. Use of investigational drugs within 8 weeks of participation

14. Past or current medical problems or findings from physical examination or laboratory
testing that are not listed above, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may pose
additional risks from participation in the study, may interfere with the participant's
ability to comply with study requirements or that may impact the quality or
interpretation of the data obtained from the study

15. Use of Campath(R)

Nested Randomized Control Trial (RCT):

1. Inability or unwillingness of a participant to give written informed consent or comply
with study protocol

2. Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection (BPAR) or treated clinically-diagnosed rejection in the
6 months following enrollment in the Observational Study

3. Positive for a Donor Specific Antibody (DSA) 0-6 months post-kidney transplant

4. Acute Banff interstitial (i) score >0 on a 6-month protocol biopsy as determined by
core pathology read

5. Presence of recurrent on de novo glomerulonephropathy 0-6 months post-kidney
transplant

6. Presence of active infection including BK virus (BKV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) or EBV
viremia by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis

7. Unable or unwilling to undergo protocol biopsies

8. Not on Tacrolimus/Mycophenolic Acid (MPA)/Pred

9. Unable to administer therapy s.c.

10. Thrombocytopenia (<50,000/mm^3)

11. Pregnant, or unwilling to practice highly effective birth control

12. Use of immunomodulatory agents (including but not limited to Rituximab, anti-TNF mAb,
or Belatacept, abatacept, Janus kinase inhibitors) * since enrollment, other than
cytolytic agents (i.e., Thymoglobulin(R)or Campath(R) or Basiliximab(R) used for
induction therapy at the time of transplant

13. Use of investigational drugs since transplant

14. Past or current medical problems or findings from physical examination or laboratory
testing that are not listed above, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may pose
additional risks from participation in the study, may interfere with the participant's
ability to comply with study requirements or that may impact the quality or
interpretation of the data obtained from the study

Note: Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria may apply.

Eligibility last updated 2/21/2024. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Carrie Schinstock, M.D.

Open for enrollment

Contact information:

Julie Gecox Hanson CCRP

Gecox.Julie@mayo.edu

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available