In this study we compare long term renal function in liver transplantation recipients treated with standard dose extended-release tacrolimus alone and recipients treated with a combination of low dose extended-release tacrolimus and low dose sirolimus. The hypothesis is that the patients treated with the combination have better long term renal function than the patients treated with standard dose tacrolimus alone.
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of concentration controlled combination of once daily dosed low-dose sirolimus (trough levels: 3-5 ng/ml) and extended-release tacrolimus (trough levels:3-5 ng/ml), in order to provide superior renal function while maintaining comparable rates of patient and graft survival, compared to concentration controlled once - daily extended release tacrolimus (trough levels: 5-10 ng/ml) at 12, 24 and 36 months post-transplant. Moreover, to compare the incidence of de novo malignancy, the quality of life, fatigue and side effects between both treatment arms. 2.1 Primary objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of concentration controlled combination of low-dose sirolimus (trough levels: 3-5 ng/ml) and extended-release tacrolimus (trough levels: 3-5 ng/ml), in order to provide superior renal function while maintaining comparable rates of patient and graft survival, compared to concentration controlled once - daily extended release tacrolimus (trough levels:-10 ng/ml) control at 12, 24 and 36 months post-transplant. 2.2. Secondary objectives: * To compare the incidence of de novo and recurrence of cancer between study arm and control arm at 36 months. * To compare the incidence and severity of biopsy proven acute rejection between study arm and control arm at 12, 24 and 36 months. * To evaluate renal function at 12, 24 and 36 months (calculated GFR). * To evaluate the development of new onset diabetes mellitus at 12, 24 and 36 months post transplant * To evaluate the prevalence of CNI side effects at 12, 24 and 36 months * To evaluate quality of life (Eq5D) and fatigue severity score at 12, 24 and 36 months * To evaluate the percentage of patients on combination tacrolimus and sirolimus and converted back to tacrolimus mono-therapy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
196
Arm 1 once daily combination therapy of normal dosed extended-release tacrolimus and prednisone for 3 months and monotherapy once daily extended-release tacrolimus thereafter up to 3 years after liver transplantation. Arm 2 once daily combination therapy of low doses sirolimus and extended-release tacrolimus and prednisone for 3 months and combination therapy of low dose sirolimus and extended-release tacrolimus thereafter for up to 3 years after liver transplantation Continue Advagraf (5-10 ng/ml) and 7.5 mg prednison; lower or discontinue steroids after day 180 at the discretion of the treating physician Conversion to sirolimus (3-5 ng/ml) and decrease Advagraf (3-5 ng/ml); 7.5 mg prednisone and lower or discontinue steroids after day 180 at the discretion of the treating physician
Patient received standard-dose of Tracrolimus Advagraf (5-10 ng/ml) and 7.5 mg prednison; lower or discontinue steroids after day 180 at the discretion of the treating physician
UMCG
Groningen, Netherlands
LUMC
Leiden, Netherlands
Erasmus Medical Center
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Renal function
Percentage of patients with cGFR \< 60ml/min
Time frame: 3 years
Malignancies
number of de novo malignancies
Time frame: 3 years
Diabetes Mellitus
Incidence of De novo diabetes mellitus
Time frame: 3 years
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