Safety and Efficacy Study of a Caspase Inhibitor in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation

Overview

The purpose of the study is to test the safety and effectiveness of IDN-6556 in preventing liver damage that normally occurs when livers are transported before being transplanted and in the immediate post-transplant period.

The occurrence of apoptosis in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury has been well characterized in animal models. In this context apoptosis has specifically been observed in sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes, and this has also been associated with an increase in activated caspase-3 in liver tissue extracts. The use of caspase inhibitors to prevent apoptosis during liver storage and transplantation may reduce ischemia/reperfusion injury and hence improve graft function after transplantation. Suppression of apoptosis by caspase inhibitors may also allow for longer ischemic times allowing organs to be transported greater distances. In addition, suppression of apoptosis may lower the risk involved in using suboptimal donor organs.

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Eligibility

Locations (13)

Outcomes