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Steroid-Free Versus Steroid-Based Immunosuppression in Pediatric Renal (Kidney) Transplantation

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Kidney Transplant
Renal Transplantation
Kidney Transplantation
Kidney Diseases
Renal Transplant
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT00141037
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Brief Summary

Over the last 40 years, corticosteroids (steroids) have been an important part of drug regimens used to prevent organ rejection and to maintain the immune health of individuals who have received organ transplants. Unfortunately, the negative physical effects of steroids can be severe, especially in children. The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of a steroid-free treatment regimen for children and adolescents who have received kidney (renal) transplants.

Detailed Description

Corticosteroids (steroids) have been a cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy for kidney (renal) transplantation for over 40 years. However, poor growth and bone loss caused by the use of steroids are devastating to pediatric kidney recipients. The negative physical implications of steroid use also greatly impacts patients' compliance to their prescribed steroid-containing regimens.

The development of a steroid-free regimen for post-transplant pediatric patients is sorely needed. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a steroid-free based treatment regimen in children and adolescents who have received kidney transplants, compared to a standard of care steroid-based regimen. Participants in this study will be pediatric patients with end-stage kidney disease who will undergo kidney transplantation at the start of the study.

Patients will participate in this study for 3 years. Participants will be randomized (1:1) to one of two groups. The study includes 23 study visits over 3 years. A physical exam, medication history, adverse events reporting, blood pressure readings, growth assessment, and blood collection will occur at most visits. At the time of transplantation, participants will have a kidney biopsy. Participants will also undergo cataract screening within 4 months of transplantation.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
130
Inclusion Criteria
  • Primary recipient of a kidney transplant
  • Meets site-specific transplant criteria
  • Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) of 20% or less
  • Willing to use acceptable forms of contraception
  • Parent or guardian willing to provide informed consent, if applicable
Exclusion Criteria
  • Previous treatment with steroids within 6 months prior to transplantation
  • Received en-bloc kidney or other kidney that does not meet protocol-specified requirements
  • Received an organ from an human leukocyte antigen (HLA) identical donor or a non-heart-beating donor
  • Received a solid organ other than a kidney
  • Received a bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplant
  • Received a repeat kidney transplant
  • Currently receiving an investigational pharmacologic or biologic agent
  • Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected or infected with another immunodeficiency virus
  • Hypersensitivity to murine products or the study drugs or their formulations
  • Inability to measure height accurately
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Steroid-Based ImmunosuppressionTrimethoprim and sulfamethoxazoleSubjects will receive prednisone immunosuppression (10 mg/kg peri-operatively followed by 2 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \<40kg and 1.5 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \>40 kg) and proceed with a prednisone taper according to the trial's protocol.
Steroid-Based ImmunosuppressionMycophenolate mofetil (MMF)Subjects will receive prednisone immunosuppression (10 mg/kg peri-operatively followed by 2 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \<40kg and 1.5 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \>40 kg) and proceed with a prednisone taper according to the trial's protocol.
Steroid-Free ImmunosuppressionMycophenolate mofetil (MMF)Subjects will receive extended daclizumab induction until the sixth month post-transplant (2 mg/kg pre-transplant followed by 1 mg/kg at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 and months 4, 5, and 6).
Steroid-Free ImmunosuppressionGanciclovirSubjects will receive extended daclizumab induction until the sixth month post-transplant (2 mg/kg pre-transplant followed by 1 mg/kg at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 and months 4, 5, and 6).
Steroid-Free ImmunosuppressionTrimethoprim and sulfamethoxazoleSubjects will receive extended daclizumab induction until the sixth month post-transplant (2 mg/kg pre-transplant followed by 1 mg/kg at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 and months 4, 5, and 6).
Steroid-Based ImmunosuppressionDaclizumabSubjects will receive prednisone immunosuppression (10 mg/kg peri-operatively followed by 2 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \<40kg and 1.5 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \>40 kg) and proceed with a prednisone taper according to the trial's protocol.
Steroid-Based ImmunosuppressionPrednisoneSubjects will receive prednisone immunosuppression (10 mg/kg peri-operatively followed by 2 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \<40kg and 1.5 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \>40 kg) and proceed with a prednisone taper according to the trial's protocol.
Steroid-Based ImmunosuppressionTacrolimusSubjects will receive prednisone immunosuppression (10 mg/kg peri-operatively followed by 2 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \<40kg and 1.5 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \>40 kg) and proceed with a prednisone taper according to the trial's protocol.
Steroid-Based ImmunosuppressionGanciclovirSubjects will receive prednisone immunosuppression (10 mg/kg peri-operatively followed by 2 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \<40kg and 1.5 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \>40 kg) and proceed with a prednisone taper according to the trial's protocol.
Steroid-Based ImmunosuppressionValganciclovirSubjects will receive prednisone immunosuppression (10 mg/kg peri-operatively followed by 2 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \<40kg and 1.5 mg/kg/day in subjects weighing \>40 kg) and proceed with a prednisone taper according to the trial's protocol.
Steroid-Free ImmunosuppressionDaclizumabSubjects will receive extended daclizumab induction until the sixth month post-transplant (2 mg/kg pre-transplant followed by 1 mg/kg at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 and months 4, 5, and 6).
Steroid-Free ImmunosuppressionTacrolimusSubjects will receive extended daclizumab induction until the sixth month post-transplant (2 mg/kg pre-transplant followed by 1 mg/kg at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 and months 4, 5, and 6).
Steroid-Free ImmunosuppressionValganciclovirSubjects will receive extended daclizumab induction until the sixth month post-transplant (2 mg/kg pre-transplant followed by 1 mg/kg at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 and months 4, 5, and 6).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The Difference in Linear Growth by Treatment Assignment at 1 Year Post Kidney TransplantationOne year post kidney transplantation procedure

Standardized Z-scores were computed following a formula using an age- and gender-specific calculation provided by the NHANES III 2000 Growth Data set. The Z-score system expresses anthropometric values of height as several standard deviations (SDs) below (e.g., a negative value) or above (a positive value) the reference mean or median value. In this study the measure was used to test whether there is a difference in the change in height between the treatment groups: Steroid-Based versus Steroid-Free

Comparison by Treatment Assignment in the Number of Biopsy-Proven Acute Rejections Within 12 Months Post Kidney TransplantationUp to one year post kidney transplantation procedure

Biopsy-proven acute renal (kidney) rejection \[1, 2\].

1. Diagnosis of acute rejection was made by renal biopsy using the Banff 97 criteria. The Banff 97 diagnostic category for renal allograft biopsies is an international standardized histopathological classification. Acute rejection is defined by a renal biopsy demonstrating a Banff 97 classification of Grade IA or greater, with higher scores indicating more severe rejection\[2\]

2. Ref: Racusen LC et al. The Banff 97 working classification of renal allograft pathology. Kidney Int, 55: 713-723, 1999

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (12)

UCLA - Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

Children's Hospital Boston - Division of Nephrology

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Children's Hospital of New Orleans-Department of Pediatric Nephrology

🇺🇸

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Stanford University Medical Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

Palo Alto, California, United States

UCSF Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

San Francisco, California, United States

Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center - Division of Nephrology

🇺🇸

Seattle, Washington, United States

Children's Mercy Hospital - Department of Nephrology

🇺🇸

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

University of Alabama - Pediatric Nephrology

🇺🇸

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

University of Florida - Pediatric Nephrology

🇺🇸

Gainesville, Florida, United States

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia-Department of Nephrology

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Maxine Dunitz Children's Health Center Cedars-Sinai

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

University of Michigan Medical Center, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital- Division of Nephrology & Transplantation

🇺🇸

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

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