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56 active trials for Liver Transplantation

New Prognostic Predictive Models of Mortality of Decompensated Cirrhotic Patients Waiting for Liver Transplantation

The MELD score is a predictive model of cirrhosis mortality used in France since 2007 to prioritize access to liver transplantation for patients enrolled in the national waiting list. The predictive value of this score was recently revised downward with a C index of the order of 0.65-0.67 and 20% of the patients enrolled for decompensated cirrhosis have access to liver transplantation by a subjective system of "expert component" independent of the MELD because of this lack of precision. The use of the MELD score to individually define access to the transplant should so be reconsidered. Recently new predictive models of cirrhosis mortality better than MELD have been developed and new mortality predictors independent of MELD have been published. The goal of this study is to design prognostic predictive models of mortality for decompensated cirrhotic patients enrolled on the national liver transplant waiting list including known (MELD, MELD Na) as more recent (CLIF-C AD, CLIF - CACLF) predictive models and new objective predictors studied in combination in order to optimize the system of allocation of hepatic allografts in France. The expected benefits of this search are twofold: At the individual level: The possibility for patients at high risk of death but with intermediate MELD score to be transplanted. Public health plan: Improving the equity of graft allocation system. Decreased mortality in the waiting list by improving the fairness and efficiency of the graft allocation system, a major public health issue

Start: October 2020

Treg Cell Therapy in Liver and Kidney Transplantation - Preclinical Validation of Batches of Treg Cells Amplified in Vitro

Kidney and liver transplantation requires a fine tuning of immune responses in order to achieve long term operational tolerance with immunosuppressants or immune modulators. Numerous experimental findings indicate that CD4+ FOXP3 expressing regulatory T (Treg) cells play a central role in the induction of tolerance to the grafts indicating that the use of Treg cells may be an innovative therapeutic strategy in kidney transplantation that would enable the diminution of immunosuppressive drugs or even their discontinuation, thus decreasing their risk of adverse events. As human Treg cells represent less than 10% of CD4+ T cells, and because it has been shown in mice that a dose of 2*104 polyclonal Tregs/g was necessary to induce tolerance in animal models of solid organ transplantation, it is mandatory to expand human Treg cells ex vivo, after isolating them from peripheral blood. The investigators previously defined a protocol for Treg cell isolation and expansion in clinical grade conditions (cGMP) that enabled us to obtain the expected number of expanded cells maintaining high levels of FOXP3 (3). The investigators therefore hypothesize in humans, as it has been already shown in mice, that the infusion of autologous expanded polyclonal Treg cells would lead to the obtaining of operational tolerance in kidney and liver graft in association with classical immunosuppressants and an expectable diminution of those. To this end, it is necessary to have pre-clinical batches of expanded Treg cells validated by the National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety validate (ANSM). The investigators therefore plan to have 4 batches from 2 liver transplant patients and 2 kidney transplant patients validated.

Start: December 2020

Diagnostic Validity of [18F]FSPG PET for the Assessment of Acute Rejection After Heart or Liver Transplantation

The a series of clinical studies of [18F]FSPG PET/CT showed that [18F]FSPG is safe and promising PET tracer for detecting inflammation with favorable biodistribution and pharmacokinetics in patients. By using [18F]FSPG, which targets system xC?, a key player in the active phase of inflammation, the goal of this phase 2 study is to evaluate diagnostic validity of [18F]FSPG PET/CT to detect allograft rejection after heart and liver allograft, where conventional imaging has limitations. Diagnostic efficacy of [18F]FSPG PET/CT will be determined in comparison with histologic evaluation of allograft biopsy. Other critical questions including whether quantitative measures of [18F]FSPG uptake is associated with the severity of rejection, inter-reader variability of [18F]FSPG PET/CT, and safety assessment will be also evaluated.

Start: November 2020

A Study of mDOT for Immunosuppressant Adherence in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

In solid organ transplant recipients, poor adherence to immunosuppressant medications carries the risk of graft rejection (needing a new transplant), post-transplant complications, and increased healthcare costs. Additionally, nonadherence to immunosuppressant medications is imperative to short- and long-term outcomes. The rate of nonadherence in this population varies vastly. Because of lacking objective and accurate nonadherence measurements, both to immunosuppressant drugs and medical indications, the true implications and prevalence of nonadherence is not yet well understood. Therefore, investigators believe that mobile health (mHealth) technology has the potential to allow clinicians and researchers to more comprehensively address and understand nonadherence in solid organ transplant recipients. The aim of this study is to conduct a randomized control trial to compare medication adherence among liver and kidney transplant patients who use the mHealth system against controls who do not.

Start: November 2020

Neo-adjuvant Transarterial Chemoinfusion (TAI) for Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Beyond Milan/UCSF Criteria Who Underwent Liver Transplantation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second commonest cause of cancer death worldwide. Liver transplantation (LT) is the best curative treatment of HCC meeting Milan/UCSF criteria. Milan (solitary tumour <5cm, or up to 3 tumours, each <3cm) and University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria (solitary tumour ?6.5cm, up to 3 tumours with none >4.5cm, and total tumour diameter ?8cm) provide the benchmark requirements for LT, at which a 5-year survival of >70% and recurrence rate ranging from 5-15% can be achieved. Recently, FOLFOX (Oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil) based hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) exhibited high response rate for advanced HCC. Neo-adjuvant TAI for the HCC patients with beyond criteria serving as a down-staging method for the advanced HCC to meet Milan/UCSF criteria?and qualify for LT. This study is to compare the impact on survival of neo-adjuvant TAI for patients with beyond Milan/UCSF Criteria HCC who underwent LT.

Start: November 2020

Safety and Efficacy of Camrelizumab (Anti-PD-1 Antibody) in Recurrent HCC After Liver Transplantation

This is a prospective clinical study to investigate the safety and efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy (Camrelizumab) in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation. All of the enrolled patients have a background of liver transplantation for HCC. Due to the tumor recurrence, patients are not suitable for curative surgical resection, and targeted therapy provides poor therapeutic effect, leading to tumor progression or intolerance. Before immunotherapy, the PD-L1 expression was confirmed negative in the graft liver by immunohistochemistry, and patients continued targeted therapy as part of a combined antitumor regimen. In addition, the immunosuppression schedule is also reduced to a low level.

Start: September 2020

Investigation of Pain Incidence After FK506 Immunosuppressive Therapy in Liver Transplantation Patients

FK506 (tacrolimus), a calcineurin inhibitor, is widely used as an immunosuppressant to lower the risk of organ rejection after organ transplantation, and to treat T cell-mediated diseases such as eczema and atopic dermatitis. FK506 treatment often accompanies pain sensation in patients with atopic dermatitis or after organ transplantation. In previous studies, we confirmed that FK506 treatment increased neuronal activity of primary afferent neurons and causes pain behavior in naïve mice. In order to further search for objective clinical evidence, we proposed to investigate pain incidence after FK506 immunosuppressive therapy in liver transplantation patients. We will investigate pain incidence and pain intensity in patients who underwent liver transplant from September of 2011 to May of 2018 in the Liver Health Rehabilitation Association. The patients who were divided into two groups based on whether or not FK506 was used in the immunosuppressive therapy. The patients in control group (without FK506 treatment) and FK506-treated group report pain sensation 3 months and 12 months after liver transplant. We will compare the pain incidence between the two groups at both time points. On the other hand, we will further investigate changes in pain sensation after 1st and 2nd reductions of FK506 dose. Pain is reported subjectively by the patient using the visual analogue scale (VAS) 1 month after dose reduction. In our study, 1st and 2nd reductions of FK506 dose refers to the first two dose-adjustments (approximately 6 months apart) that occurred 3-6 months after the liver transplantation.

Start: September 2019

The Effect of Norepinephrine on Cardiac Output in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplant .

Early administration of NE in liver transplant recipient might enhance cardiac output through an increase in cardiac preload .

Start: December 2019

Safety and Feasibility of Normothermic Machine Perfusion to Preserve and Evaluate Orphan Livers

Orphan livers are organs that have been declined for clinical use by all centers due to their marginality. The current standard of care of liver preservation before transplant is cold storage. NMP may allow these livers to be evaluated before transplantation. NMP has already been used in a clinical setting with promising results. The advantage to utilizing NMP is that it would attenuate the incidence and clinical impact of classical preservation injury, allow liver function assessment before implantation and thus improve donor pool and outcomes for high risk ECD liver transplants performed at our center.

Start: March 2020

Portal Pressure Effects of Phlebotomy Combined to Vasopressin Use in Cirrhotic Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation is the standard treatment for chronic advanced liver disease, whether or not associated with a primary liver tumor. The intraoperative bleeding and the need for blood transfusion, encountered in this major surgery are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, this hemorrhagic risk has been drastically reduced in the last 20 years and liver transplants without the use of blood products are now possible. Indeed, improvements in medical and surgical techniques associated with a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the cirrhotic patient have enabled this advance. One of the targeted therapeutic strategies is the control of portal hypertension. Several treatments have been sought, such as the use of splanchnic vasoconstrictors (such as vasopressin) and hypovolemic phlebotomy. These techniques reduce portal pressure and seem to reduce intraoperative bleeding with, even, a protective effect on kidney function. Their single-use or their combination is currently used in certain centers of expertise in liver transplantation. However, the hemodynamic effects of the combination of these 2 treatments on portal pressure has never been demonstrated. In this study, the effect of vasopressin, combined with a hypovolemic phlebotomy, on portal pressure in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation will be evaluated.

Start: August 2020

COVID-19 in Immunosuppressed Children

Viral respiratory infections are common infectious complications after kidney transplantation, especially in the pediatric age group, and immunosuppressed patients may develop more severe disease. Immunosuppressive medications alter the patient's immune response by acting on humoral, cellular immunity and neutrophil function, increasing the risk of serious viral infections. Little is known about how these patients respond to infection by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Experience with SARS caused by the Influenza H1N1 virus suggests that the severity of the disease depends on pre-existing comorbidities and the individual immune response. In more severe cases, an imbalance between the inflammatory system and the immune system is observed, determining direct consequences when pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines reach the systemic circulation in an exacerbated and unbalanced manner. Such fact can generate "cytokine storm syndrome", resulting in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. March 2020 reports from Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo, Italy - one of the largest pediatric liver transplant centers - showed that the number of transplant patients infected with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) increased progressively. However, they did not see greater severity and complications in this population. Immunosuppression could act as a protective factor. The present study aims to describe the prevalence of viral infection by SARS-CoV-2 in a sample of immunosuppressed children, from three groups: kidney transplants, liver transplants and oncohematological. The investigators will also look for the epidemiological profile and clinical evolution of these patients, enabling a better understanding of the COVID-19 in this special population. The investigators' hypothesis is that infection with the new coronavirus may be asymptomatic in a large number of children and that immunosuppression, observed in liver and kidney transplant patients and also seen in cancer patients, may act as protection for severe forms of COVID-19. After obtaining written informed consent from the family, the investigators will include patients from 0-18 years of age, on regular outpatient follow-up, symptomatic or not, and will check for the presence of IgM/IgG antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2. For those symptomatic or with a positive IgM result, material (oro/nasopharyngeal swabs) for RT-PCR trial for the new coronavirus will be collected. Demographic and clinical variables will be registered. The outcomes are: Serology for COVID-19 result; PCR for COVID-19 result; presence of symptoms of COVID-19; proportion of patients with viral shedding on days 3,7,14,21 and 30 after diagnosis; need for hospital admission; need for Intensive care admission; death.

Start: June 2020

ATHN 11: Liver Transplantation Outcomes Study

This study is designed as a multi-center, observational cohort study of participants with hemophilia A and B who have and have not undergone liver transplantation. Participants will be asked to complete health related quality of life questionnaires and provide medical history.

Start: June 2020

Treatment of Anemia With Intravenous Iron in Patients Listed for Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

The aim of this study is to investigate whether therapy with intravenous iron carboxymaltose in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) listed for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) increases hemoglobin concentrations and reduces intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs). The investigators hypothesize that therapy with intravenous iron will increase hemoglobin concentrations and reduce intraoperative transfusion of PRBCs in patients with IDA listed for OLT.

Start: July 2020

Influence of Genetic Polymorphism of Donor on Tacrolimus Concentration in Liver Transplant

To study the influence of donor's ABCB1?CYP3A4?CYP3A5?POR genetic polymorphism on tacrolimus blood concentration in liver transplant recipients.

Start: May 2017

Ventral Hernia Prevention After Liver Transplantation

This study aims to evaluate if the risk of developing ventral hernia after liver transplantation can be reduced through the prophylactic implantation of a synthetic, fully resorbable mesh "Phasix" in the course of liver transplantation. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either Phasix mesh or standard surgery without the use of Phasix. Ultra-sound examinations of the wound area will be performed 14 days, 3, 6 and 12 months after liver transplantation. Furthermore, presence of infections, seroma, pain and other problems in the wound area will be assessed.

Start: November 2017

mDOT for Immunosuppressant Adherence in Adolescent Liver Transplant Recipients

The investigators are interested in whether or not the use of a mobile health (mHealth) application increases the rate of immunosuppression medication adherence among adolescent liver transplant recipients. The investigators aim to test this by recruiting adolescent (ages 14-21) liver transplant recipients to use an mHealth application to record themselves taking their immunosuppression medications, and tracking medication adherence over time. The study population will be approximately 25 adolescent liver transplant recipients at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Start: June 2020

EPI-STORM: Cytokine Storm in Organ Donors

Kidney and liver transplantation are the treatment of choice and are often the last therapeutic option offered to patients with chronic renal and liver failure. More than 70% of kidneys and liver available for transplantation are obtained from donors following neurological death. Unfortunately, compared to living donation, transplant function, graft survival, and recipient survival are consistently inferior with kidneys and liver from neurologically deceased donors. This difference lies with the exacerbated pro-inflammatory state characteristic of deceased donors. Indeed, when neurologic death occurs, the immune system releases substances in the blood that could harm organs and particularly the liver and the kidneys. We believe that achieving a better understanding of the inflammatory processes of organ donors could be greatly informative to design future randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of personalized immunosuppressive therapy on organ donors to ultimately improve the care provided to donors so as to increase the number of organs available for transplantation and enhancing the survival of received grafts

Start: December 2018

Evaluation of the Impact of Tacrolimus-based Immunosuppression on Heidelberg Liver Transplant Cohort (HDTACRO): Study Protocol for an Investigator Initiated, Non-interventional Prospective Study

Modern immunosuppression is characterized by a combination of different immunosuppressants. As a result, the dose of the individual substances, and thus also their side effects can be reduced. Immunosuppression on the basis of low-dose calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) with comparatively low CNI target levels could therefore prevail. Despite all efforts to optimize the treatment regimen after liver transplantation from deceased donors, the amount of medication remains high throughout the postoperative course with CNIs being the main component of immunosuppressive treatment. The main substance used is Tacrolimus in combination with steroids and possibly Mycophenolic acid. Tacrolimus is considered a narrow therapeutic index drug requiring individual dose titration, to achieve a satisfactory balance between maximizing efficacy and minimizing dose-related toxicity. Furthermore, transplanted recipients have to remain to a very demanding medication regimen for a long time. The burden of pills required is associated with decreased adherence, and lack of adherence can lead to rejection and possibly graft loss. The aim of present study is to assess the tough levels and need of doses adaptation in de novo liver transplantation with Tacrolimus in the clinical routine, without any intervention in the treatment regimen.

Start: November 2018

APCext : Effect of Temporary Porto-caval Shunt During Liver Transplantation on Function of Liver Graft From Extended Criteria Donor

The success of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in treatment of liver malignancy and endstage liver disease has led to an increase in the gap between patients on waiting-lists and available liver grafts. In order to compensate for this scarcity, use of liver grafts harvested from extended criteria donors (ECD) has become more and more frequent. However, these ECD grafts are known to be associated with a higher rate of primary non function (PNF) or early allograft dysfunction (EAD) because of a greater vulnerability to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). During OLT, the clamping of the portal vein induces blood congestion in the splanchnic territory leading to increased gut permeability, bacterial translocation and release of endotoxin and pro-inflammatory cytokines at revascularisation, which exacerbate IRI. Realisation of a temporary porto-caval shunt (TPCS) (i.e. end to side anastomosis between the portal vein and infrahepatic vena cava) during the anhepatic phase, avoids splanchnic congestion and could therefore decrease IRI and improve liver graft function. However, TPCS remains poorly used as no randomised trial succeeds to show its benefit on liver function due to lack of power.

Start: March 2017

A Study of Patient Adherence and Convenience to Immunosuppressive Agents in Newly Liver Transplant

A study of patient adherence and convenience to immunosuppressive agents in newly liver transplant recipients - a prospective, multi-center, open-labeled, randomized clinical trial for comparison between once-daily early conversion and twice-daily tacrolimus formulation.

Start: November 2017