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De-novo Initiation of Letermovir vs Valganciclovir for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis in AA Kidney Transplant Recipients

Phase 3
Recruiting
Conditions
Kidney Transplant; Complications
CMV
Interventions
Other: Historical/Control
Registration Number
NCT06001320
Lead Sponsor
Virginia Commonwealth University
Brief Summary

This study is being done to compare the effectiveness of de novo Letermovir versus valganciclovir in preventing the development of cytomegalovirus viremia or symptomatic disease in African American kidney transplant recipients within the first year after transplantation.

There are two arms in the study:

Arm 1: Prophylaxis: This group includes freshly transplanted high risk (CMV D+/R-) African American Kidney recipients who will be on prophylactic Letermovir for 6 month.

Arm 2: Prophylaxis: This group includes high-risk African American kidney transplant recipients who had already completed the 6 month prophylactic course with the standard of care Valganciclovir.

Detailed Description

Valganciclovir (VGC) is the drug of choice for CMV prophylaxis. Although effective in preventing CMV infections, VGC is commonly associated with profound bone marrow suppression, specifically leukopenia which increases patients' vulnerability to other infections. Moreover, kidney transplant recipients often receive lymphocytic antibody therapy for induction immunosuppression, which further exacerbates the risk of leukopenia in the first 3-6 months after transplantation. The high leukopenia burden makes management of immunosuppression in the post-transplant setting more complex, often necessitating reduction in immunosuppressive agents that increases risk of allograft rejection.

Primary Objective: this study is being done to compare the effectiveness of de novo Letermovir versus the standard of care valganciclovir in preventing the development of cytomegalovirus viremia (defined as CMV PCR \> 137 units/ml) or symptomatic disease in AA kidney transplant recipients within the first year after transplantation.

Secondary Objectives: included leukopenia incidence, acute rejection rates, breakthrough CMV rates, mycophenolate dose adjustments, donor-specific antibody formation, and tolerability.

To compare these these two groups the study uses

* Intervention Letermovir: Recipients in this group will be on prophylactic Letermovir 480mg once a day pill started within the first 5 days of post-transplant up until 6 months post-transplant. Given Letermovir has no activity against herpes viruses, solid organ transplant recipients are at risk of herpes simplex viruses. Participants enrolled in this study group will also receive prophylactic acyclovir 400mg twice daily for the duration of their Letermovir treatment. Both Letermovir and study mandated medication (Acyclovir) are already approved for use by the FDA.

* Intervention Valganciclovir- In this group recipients who have historically received the standard of care prophylactic valganciclovir will be assessed retrospectively. Valganciclovir is 450mg once a day pill started with in the first 10 days post-transplant or at the time of discharge after kidney transplant and taken up until 6 month post-transplant. This historical control study group will include high-risk African American kidney transplant recipients identified from prior research studies who were cared for with Valganciclovir in the 5 years prior to the enrollment start for the study group.

Outcomes of these two groups will be compared in 1:1 fashion. The study will attempt to match patients on Letermovir to the historical patients who received valganciclovir, based on age, kidney Donor profile index and the presence of panel of reactive antibodies.

Strategy for CMV Viremia: CMV viremia will be treated with either oral valganciclovir, intravenous ganciclovir or alternative agents, according to AST ID COP (American Society of Transplantation Infectious disease community of practice) guidelines.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Letermovir group (study group)Letermovir 480 mg once dailyLetermovir 480 mg once daily
Historical Control study groupHistorical/ControlHistorically matched AA kidney transplant recipients who received the standard of care 450mg once a day valganciclovir prophylaxis
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Incidence of cytomegalovirus viremia (defined as CMV PCR > 137 units/ml) or symptomatic disease in AA kidney transplant recipientsup to one year after transplantation

The incidence of cytomegalovirus viremia (defined as CMV PCR \> 137 units/ml) or symptomatic disease in AA kidney transplant recipients by one year post-transplantation

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Incidence of Leukopenia (defined as WBC < 2.5 x 103 cells/mm3 beyond the first 2 weeks of transplantation, while on pharmacologic CMV prophylaxis)From 2 weeks up to 26 weeks post-transplant

The incidence of leukopenia (defined as WBC \< 2.5 x 103 cells/mm3 beyond the first 2 weeks of transplantation, while on pharmacologic CMV prophylaxis)- assessed from 2 weeks up to 26weeks post-transplant

Impact of Pharmacological Prophylaxis on CMV T-Cell immunity up to 1 year post-transplantup to 1 Year post-transplant

CMV T-cell immunity assay, assessed up to 1 year post-transplant. At 12, 26 and 52 weeks post-transplant

Incidence of acute kidney allograft rejection up to one year after transplantationup to 1 Year post-transplant

acute kidney allograft rejection up to one year after transplantation

Impact of Pharmacologic CMV Prophylaxis on Mycophenolate dosage up to 6 months post-transplantUp to 6 months post-transplant

Changes in mycophenolate dosage (assessed by review of patient's chart) up to 6 months post-transplant

Incidence of de novo donor specific antibody formation up to 1 year after transplantup to 1 Year post-transplant

de novo donor specific antibody formation up to one year after transplantation

Tolerability of Letermovir in AA kidney transplant recipients up to 6 months post-transplant using a tolerability assessment questionnaireup to 6 months post-transplant

Tolerability of Letermovir in AA kidney transplant recipient up to 6 months post-transplant (assessed through patient observation, tolerability assessment questionnaire, obtaining medical history and conduction physical examination during visits, receiving an unsolicited complaint from the participant, and an abnormal value or result from a clinical or laboratory evaluation).

Correlation between CYP3A5*1 and its impact on tacrolimus metabolism and incidence of kidney allograft rejection up to 1 year post-transplantup to 1 Year post-transplant

correlation between CYP3A5\*1 and tacrolimus metabolism and incidence of kidney allograft rejection up to one year after transplantation

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

VCU Medical Center

🇺🇸

Richmond, Virginia, United States

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