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Trial Comparing Immediate Versus Extended Release Tacrolimus; Reducing Calcineurin Inhibitor Related Toxicity in Lung Transplantation Patients

Phase 3
Recruiting
Conditions
Lung Transplant; Complications
Interventions
Drug: Extended release tacrolimus
Drug: Immediate release tacrolimus
Registration Number
NCT05001074
Lead Sponsor
Heleen Grootjans
Brief Summary

Lung transplantation is a life-saving option in patients with end-stage lung disease. The introduction of calcineurin inhibitors has significantly improved long-term outcome in lung transplantation. The most frequently used calcineurin inhibitor as maintenance therapy is immediate release tacrolimus, dosed twice daily, which has shown to reduce both acute and chronic rejection. However, a drawback to the administration of tacrolimus is its toxicity. Especially progressive renal toxicity, new onset diabetes and hypertension contribute to the high cardiovascular burdon in this patient group. Since a few years an once daily extended release tacrolimus has been introduced in solid organ transplantation. The advantage of extended release tacrolimus is its prolonged release and higher bioavailability than other tacrolimus formulations. This result in lower peaks, more stable serum levels over 24 hours, and less fluctuation of blood concentrations.

Long-term toxicity outcome of extended release tacrolimus after lung transplantation has not been studied so far. Therefore the potential benefit of exteded release tacrolimus in de novo and stable post-lung transplant recipients should be investigated.

Detailed Description

Lung transplantation is a life-saving option in patients with end-stage lung disease. The introduction of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) has significantly improved long-term outcome in lung transplantation. The most frequently used CNI as maintenance therapy is immediate release tacrolimus, dosed twice daily, which has shown to reduce both acute and chronic rejection. However, a drawback to the administration of tacrolimus is its toxicity. Especially progressive renal toxicity, new onset diabetes and hypertension contribute to the high cardiovascular burdon in this patient group. In lung transplant recipients the incidence of severe renal impairment, new onset of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia is 53,9%, 40%, 80% and 40,3% post lung transplantation. Tremor is one of the most common CNI induced neurological toxic effect, besides polyneuropathy, headaches, insomnia, vertigo, dysesthesia and reduced cognitive ability. These complications are, among others, attributed to high peak serum tacrolimuslevels, whereas the effectiveness of the drug is determined by the area under the curve. In general lung transplant recipients have higher peak and trough levels when compared to other solid organ transplant recipients and therefore potentially experience more severe toxic side effects.

Since a few years an once daily extended release tacrolimus has been introduced in solid organ transplantation. The advantage of extended release tacrolimus is its prolonged release and higher bioavailability than other tacrolimus formulations. This result in lower peaks, more stable serum levels over 24 hours, and less fluctuation of blood concentrations. In addition, for an equal overall systemic tacrolimus exposure a 30% lower dosage is needed for extended release tacrolimus when compared to other formulations. In kidney and liver transplantation, extended release tacrolimus is safe and effective. Langone et al demonstrated in an enriched population of kidney transplant patients with tremor, that extended release tacrolimus improved hand tremor compared to immediate release tacrolimus.

Long-term toxicity outcome of extended release tacrolimus after lung transplantation has not been studied so far. Therefore the potential benefit of exteded release tacrolimus in de novo and stable post-lung transplant recipients should be investigated.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
145
Inclusion Criteria
  • Written informed consent
  • Single or bilateral lung transplantation
  • On twice daily tacrolimus with stable trough levels in target range
  • Participant in the TransplantLines biobank study in the UMCG

Additional criteria for Conversion cohort:

  • At least one year after lung transplantation with a stable clinical course and lung function
  • eGFR >30ml/min*1.73m2 calculated with the CKD-EPI formula
Exclusion Criteria
  • Administration of mTOR inhibitors; everolimus, sirolimus
  • Quadruple immunosuppression
  • Renal transplantation
  • The subject has any disease or condition that might interfere with completion of this study or reaching the primary endpoint (e.g., life expectancy of <3 years, renal replacement therapy at start study)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
de novo cohort, extended release tacrolimusExtended release tacrolimusde novo cohort, extended release tacrolimus
de novo cohort, immediate release tacrolimusImmediate release tacrolimusde novo cohort, immediate release tacrolimus
conversion cohort, extended release tacrolimusExtended release tacrolimusconversion cohort, extended release tacrolimus
conversion cohort, immediate release tacrolimusImmediate release tacrolimusconversion cohort, immediate release tacrolimus
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
renal function: absolute change in eGFR2 years

absolute change in eGFR absolute change in eGFR change in eGFR at 2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
renal function: 50% eGFR reduction2 years

50% eGFR reduction

hypertension2 years

Incidence of inadequate regulated or new onset of hypertension

renal function:end stage kidney disease2 years

end stage kidney disease

diabetes mellitus2 years

Incidence of inadequate glycemic control of preexisting diabetes mellitus or new onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT)

Infections2 years

Incidence of infections

Malignancies2 years

Incidence of malignancies

neurological function: tremor2 years

Incidence of or change in pre-existing hand tremor by using the validated Fahn-Tolosa-Martin (FTM) tremor rating scale (grades of tremor 0-4, in which 0 indicated no tremor and 4 severe tremor)

neurological function: polyneuropathy2 years

Incidence of or change in pre-existing polyneuropathy

neurological function: sleep quality2 years

Incidence of or change in sleep quality by using validated questionnaire: Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

quality of life score2 years

change in SF36 score

pharmacogenetic2 years

explorative endpoints: effects of well known variances in CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and ABCB1 transporter function on tacrolimus metabolism (resulting in so-called slow and fast tacrolimus metabolisers) on long-term tacrolimus neurological toxicity: change in incidence of or change in pre-existing hand tremor by using the validated Fahn-Tolosa-Martin tremor rating scale

graft function2 years

Acute graft dysfunction is a clinical diagnoses, with or without histological confirmation, and indictation for rejection treatment such as methylprednisolon. Chronic graft dysfunction is defined according to the ISHLT guidelines, as a persistent decline (≥20%) in measured FEV1 value from baseline.

renal function: 40% eGFR reduction2 years

40% eGFR reduction

neurological function: cognitive functioning2 years

Incidence of or change in cognitive functioning by using validated questionnaire: the Cognitive Functioning Questionnaire (CFQ)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University medical center Groningen

🇳🇱

Groningen, Netherlands

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