Concentration Controlled Everolimus With Reduced Dose Cyclosporine Versus Mycophenolate Mofetil With Standard Dose Cyclosporine in de Novo Renal Transplant Adult Recipients Treated With Basiliximab and Corticosteroids

Phase 3

Completed

Conditions: Kidney Transplantation

Interventions: Drug: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)
Drug: Everolimus
Drug: Basiliximab
Drug: Cyclosporine A
Drug: Corticosteroid

Registration Number: NCT00658320

Lead Sponsor: Novartis

Brief Summary: The 12 Month Core Study (CRAD001A1202) was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety comparing concentration-controlled everolimus (1.5 mg/day starting dose) with reduced dose cyclosporine and corticosteroids versus 2 g/day mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with standard dose cyclosporine and corticosteroids in de novo renal transplant recipients.

Extension Study (CRAD001A1202E1): Until 24 months after renal transplantation, the study was designed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy comparing concentration-controlled everolimus with reduced dose cyclosporine (Neoral®) and corticosteroids versus mycophenolate mofetil with standard dose Neoral® and corticosteroids in de novo renal transplant recipients. Beyond 24 months after renal transplantation, the study was designed to provide everolimus treatment for patients in everolimus group until everolimus is approved and marketed in Japan.

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 122

Inclusion Criteria

Male or female de novo renal transplant recipients between 18 and 65 years of age
Patients who are receiving a primary cadaveric donor or non-human leukocyte antigen (non-HLA) identical living donor kidney transplant
Patients who have given written informed consent to participate in the study
Females capable of becoming pregnant must have a negative pregnancy test prior to randomization.

Core Study

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with no evidence of graft function within 24 hours of transplantation are excluded
Recipients of dual kidney transplants
Patients who are recipients of multiple solid organ or tissue transplants, or have previously received an organ or tissue transplant.
Recipients of kidneys from HLA-identical living related donors
Patients who are recipients of ABO incompatible transplants or T cell cross match positive transplant. Although Panel Reactive Antibodies (PRA) test is not mandatory, patients whose most recent anti-HLA Class I PRA >20% By a CDC-(Complement dependent cytotoxicity) based assay or >50% by a Flow Cytometry or ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) -based assay
Patients who have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or Hepatitis B surface antigen. Laboratory results obtained within 6 months prior to randomization are acceptable, otherwise these tests should be performed within two weeks prior to randomization.
Recipients of organs from donors who test positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen, HCV or HIV are excluded
Donor organ with a cold ischemia time >24 hours
Donor age greater than 65 years
Patients with platelet count <100,000/mm at baseline before transplantation
Patients with an absolute neutrophil count of < 1,500/mm³ or white blood cell count of < 4,500/mm³ at baseline before transplantation
Patients who have severe hypercholesterolemia (>350 mg/dL; >9 mmol/L) or hypertriglyceridemia (>500 mg/dL; >8.5 mmol/L). Patients with controlled hyperlipidemia are acceptable
Patients who have an abnormal liver profile such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) or total bilirubin >3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)
Patients with a known hypersensitivity to either of the study drugs or their class, or to any of the excipients
Patients who are treated with drugs that are strong inducers or inhibitors of cytochrome P450
Patients who are unable to take oral medication at time of randomization
Patients who received an investigational drug or who have been treated with a non-protocol immunosuppressive drug or treatment within 30 days or 5 half-lives prior to randomization
Patients with a history of malignancy of any organ system, treated or untreated, within the past 5 years whether or not there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases, with the exception of localized excised non-melanomatous skin lesions
Patients with clinically significant systemic infection at time of transplant or within two weeks prior to transplant
Patients with a history of severe diarrhea, active peptic ulcer disease, or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
Patients who have cardiac failure at time of screening (resting dyspnea, with Grade ≥ 3 according to Old New York Heart Association Classification (Appendix 7) or any severe cardiac disease as determined by the investigator
Patients who have any surgical or medical condition, which in the opinion of the investigator, might significantly alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of study medication
Patients with abnormal physical or laboratory findings of clinical significance within 2 weeks prior to randomization which would interfere with the objectives of the study
Patients with any history of coagulopathy or medical condition requiring long-term anticoagulation which would preclude renal biopsy after transplantation. (Low dose aspirin treatment or interruption of chronic anticoagulant is allowed)
Females of childbearing potential who are planning to become pregnant, who are pregnant and/or lactating, who are unwilling to use effective means of contraception.

Extension Study Inclusion Criteria:

Patients who completed Month 12 visit in core study (including patients who had discontinued study medication)
Patients who had given written informed consent to participate in this extension study

Extension Study Exclusion Criteria:

Women of childbearing potential who were planning to become pregnant, who were unwilling to use two or more effective means of contraception, including abstinence judged by the investigator, surgical sterilization (e.g. bilateral tubal ligation, hysterectomy), hormonal contraception (implantable, patch, oral), and barrier methods (male or female condom with spermicidal gel, diaphragm, sponge, cervical cap). Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods) and withdrawal were not acceptable methods of contraception.

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) + Standard dose of cyclosporine	Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)	Patients were treated with 1 gram twice a day (2 grams/day) of Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and standard dose of cyclosporine for 12 months post renal transplant. Patients were treated with antibody induction therapy using 20 mg basiliximab two hours prior to transplant and 20 mg basiliximab 4 days post transplant or according to local practice. Corticosteroids were administered according to local practice. Patients were treated for 12 months in the core study and 12 months in the extension study.
Everolimus + Reduced dose of cyclosporine	Corticosteroid	An initial everolimus dose of 0.75 mg orally twice daily (1.5 mg/day) was administered 24-36 hours from reperfusion after transplantation and dose adjustments based on everolimus trough level (target trough level 3-8 ng/mL). Reduced dose of cyclosporine was initiated either pre-transplantation or within 24 hours after transplantation following the local regimen. Patients were treated with antibody induction therapy using 20 mg basiliximab two hours prior to transplant and 20 mg basiliximab 4 days post transplant or according to local practice. Corticosteroids were administered according to local practice. Patients were treated for 12 months in the core study and 12 months in the extension study. Everolimus was available after 24 months for compassionate use.
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) + Standard dose of cyclosporine	Cyclosporine A	Patients were treated with 1 gram twice a day (2 grams/day) of Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and standard dose of cyclosporine for 12 months post renal transplant. Patients were treated with antibody induction therapy using 20 mg basiliximab two hours prior to transplant and 20 mg basiliximab 4 days post transplant or according to local practice. Corticosteroids were administered according to local practice. Patients were treated for 12 months in the core study and 12 months in the extension study.
Everolimus + Reduced dose of cyclosporine	Cyclosporine A	An initial everolimus dose of 0.75 mg orally twice daily (1.5 mg/day) was administered 24-36 hours from reperfusion after transplantation and dose adjustments based on everolimus trough level (target trough level 3-8 ng/mL). Reduced dose of cyclosporine was initiated either pre-transplantation or within 24 hours after transplantation following the local regimen. Patients were treated with antibody induction therapy using 20 mg basiliximab two hours prior to transplant and 20 mg basiliximab 4 days post transplant or according to local practice. Corticosteroids were administered according to local practice. Patients were treated for 12 months in the core study and 12 months in the extension study. Everolimus was available after 24 months for compassionate use.
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) + Standard dose of cyclosporine	Corticosteroid	Patients were treated with 1 gram twice a day (2 grams/day) of Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and standard dose of cyclosporine for 12 months post renal transplant. Patients were treated with antibody induction therapy using 20 mg basiliximab two hours prior to transplant and 20 mg basiliximab 4 days post transplant or according to local practice. Corticosteroids were administered according to local practice. Patients were treated for 12 months in the core study and 12 months in the extension study.
Everolimus + Reduced dose of cyclosporine	Everolimus	An initial everolimus dose of 0.75 mg orally twice daily (1.5 mg/day) was administered 24-36 hours from reperfusion after transplantation and dose adjustments based on everolimus trough level (target trough level 3-8 ng/mL). Reduced dose of cyclosporine was initiated either pre-transplantation or within 24 hours after transplantation following the local regimen. Patients were treated with antibody induction therapy using 20 mg basiliximab two hours prior to transplant and 20 mg basiliximab 4 days post transplant or according to local practice. Corticosteroids were administered according to local practice. Patients were treated for 12 months in the core study and 12 months in the extension study. Everolimus was available after 24 months for compassionate use.
Everolimus + Reduced dose of cyclosporine	Basiliximab	An initial everolimus dose of 0.75 mg orally twice daily (1.5 mg/day) was administered 24-36 hours from reperfusion after transplantation and dose adjustments based on everolimus trough level (target trough level 3-8 ng/mL). Reduced dose of cyclosporine was initiated either pre-transplantation or within 24 hours after transplantation following the local regimen. Patients were treated with antibody induction therapy using 20 mg basiliximab two hours prior to transplant and 20 mg basiliximab 4 days post transplant or according to local practice. Corticosteroids were administered according to local practice. Patients were treated for 12 months in the core study and 12 months in the extension study. Everolimus was available after 24 months for compassionate use.
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) + Standard dose of cyclosporine	Basiliximab	Patients were treated with 1 gram twice a day (2 grams/day) of Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and standard dose of cyclosporine for 12 months post renal transplant. Patients were treated with antibody induction therapy using 20 mg basiliximab two hours prior to transplant and 20 mg basiliximab 4 days post transplant or according to local practice. Corticosteroids were administered according to local practice. Patients were treated for 12 months in the core study and 12 months in the extension study.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Core Study: Number of Patients With Composite Efficacy Endpoint	12 months	The composite efficacy endpoint consisted of treated biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR) episodes, graft loss, death or loss to follow-up. A treated BPAR was defined as a biopsy graded IA, IB, IIA, IIB, or III and which was treated with anti-rejection therapy. The allograft was presumed to be lost on the day the patient starts dialysis and was not able to stop dialysis. If the patient underwent a graft nephrectomy, then the day of nephrectomy was considered as the day of graft loss. For the individual components (including loss of follow-up)of the composite endpoint, patients are counted for the first event to occur.
Extension Study: Renal Function Measured by Calculated Glomerular Filtration Rate (cGFR) Using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Formula	Month 48	Renal function was assessed by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the MDRD formula: GFR \[mL/min/1.73m2\] = 186.3\(C-1.154)\(A-0.203)\G\R C is the serum concentration of creatinine \[mg/dL\] A is age \[years\] G = 0.742 when gender is female, otherwise G=1 R = 1.21 when race is black, otherwise R=1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Extension Study: Renal Function Measured by Calculated Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Using the Nankivell Formula	Month 24, Month 48	The Nankivell formula was used to calculate GFR at Month 24: GFR\[mL/min\]=6.7/C + W/4 - UREA/2 - 100/H\^2 + 35 (25 for females) W= body weight \[kg\] H= height \[m\] C= serum creatinine \[mmol/L\] UREA= serum urea \[mmol\\L\]
Core Study: Renal Function Measured by Calculated Glomerular Filtration Rate (cGFR) Using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Formula	Month 12	Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula is: Calculated GFR \[mL/min/1.73m\^2\] = 186.3\(C\^-1.154)\(A\^-0.203)\G\R where * C is the serum concentration of creatinine \[mg/dL\], * A is patient age at sample collection date \[years\], * G=0.742 when gender is female, otherwise G=1, * R=1.21 when race is black, otherwise R=1
Extension Study: Cyclosporine Trough Levels	Month 24, Month 48	Blood was collected at all visits after Day 3 for trough (collected 5 minutes before study drug dose) cyclosporine levels and was analyzed at a central laboratory using immunoassay.
Extension Study: Number of Participants With Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events	24 Months	Additional information about Adverse Events can be found in the Adverse Event Section.
Core Study: Number Participants With Combined Graft Loss, Death or Loss to Follow-up	12 months	The allograft was presumed to be lost on the day the patient starts dialysis and was not able to stop dialysis. If the patient underwent a graft nephrectomy, then the day of nephrectomy was considered as the day of graft loss. A loss to follow-up in graft loss, death or loss to follow-up is a patient who did not experience graft loss or death and whose last day of contact was prior to Day 316, i.e. prior to the Month 12 visit window.
Extension Study: Number of Participants With Combined Efficacy Endpoint: Graft Loss, Death, Loss to Follow-up and/or Treated Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection (BPAR)	24 Months	Graft loss was defined as the day the patient started dialysis and was not able to subsequently be removed from dialysis or re-transplant. Loss-to-follow was a patient who did not experience a treated BPAR, graft loss or death and whose last day of contact was prior to Month 24. A Graft Biopsy was done within 48 hours of suspect rejection. Biopsies were read by the local pathologist according to the updated Banff '97 criteria. Treated BPAR was based on local laboratory biopsy results and was defined as a biopsy Banff criteria graded IA to III that was treated with anti-rejection therapy.
Extension Study: Everolimus Trough Levels	Month 24, Month 48	Blood was collected at all visits after Day 3 for trough (collected 5 minutes before study drug dose) everolimus levels and was analyzed at a central laboratory using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.