This study compared the incidence of a two-part composite endpoint consisting of de novo donor specific antibody (DSA) formation or a designation of immune activation (IA) on peripheral blood molecular profiling in participants maintained on twice daily, immediate-release tacrolimus versus those maintained on Astagraf XL in the first year post-transplant.
This was an exploratory, two year (shortened to 1 year due to a stopping rule necessitated by the adaptive design), prospective, randomized, multi-center, open-label trial examining long-term kidney transplant outcomes through the use of an adaptive design and a two-part, composite surrogate endpoint. Specifically, it was designed to compare the effects of twice daily, immediate-release tacrolimus and once daily Astagraf XL on DSA formation and the development of a peripheral blood molecular profile indicating the presence of IA in de novo kidney transplant recipients during the first year following transplantation. For the purposes of this study, IA was defined as a positive molecular signature using a molecular assay in all participants. Participants were screened prior to surgery and randomized 1:1 to receive immediate-release tacrolimus, administered twice daily, or Astagraf XL, as a component of a standard immunosuppression maintenance regimen also consisting of corticosteroids (if given per institutional protocol) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (or Myfortic® equivalent). Investigators were encouraged to start participants on the randomized study treatment (immediate release tacrolimus or Astagraf XL) within 48 hours of transplantation (pre-transplant administration of study treatment was not allowed). However, if medically indicated per the treating physician's discretion, initiation of study treatment was delayed for up to seven days post-transplant.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
599
Oral Capsule
Oral Capsule
Site US10006
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Site US10025
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Site US10031
Los Angeles, California, United States
Site US10005
Sacramento, California, United States
Site US10016
San Francisco, California, United States
Site US10024
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Site US10003
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Site US10014
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Site US10030
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Site US10020
Chicago, Illinois, United States
...and 20 more locations
Percentage of Participants Who Were Positive for de Novo DSA (dnDSA) or Immune Activation (IA) Occurrence
DSA was considered as a categorical (binary) variable with positivity determined at a threshold criteria approaching mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)=1000 at any time during the study. IA was considered either present or absent using the Trugraf™ v2.0 molecular assay. A negative designation (Trugraf TX Normal) was referred to as Immune Quiescence (IQ). Due to operating characteristics of the assay, a positive designation was considered evidence of IA in all participants.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants Who Were Positive, Negative or Indeterminate for dnDSA Occurrence
DSA was considered as a categorical (binary) variable with positivity determined at a threshold criteria approaching MFI=1000 at any time during the study. Indeterminate was defined as MFI signal was \>1000 and DSA was suspected, but could not be confirmed due to inadequate donor typing. Participants whose samples for the test were not available were reported as unknown.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Peak Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) of DSA Positive Participants
Peak MFI of DSA positive participants was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of DSA Positive Participants With Weak, Moderate and Strong Antibody Strentgh
DSA was considered as a categorical (binary) variable with positivity determined at a threshold criteria approaching MFI=1000 at any time during the study.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of DSA Positive Participants With DSA Persistence
DSA was regarded as persistent under the following conditions: (i) DSA was detected and remained above the threshold for positivity (MFI = 1000) for two consecutive or nonconsecutive measurements, or (ii) the new appearance of a DSA at the threshold for positivity when preceded by a DSA of a different specificity that had subsequently become non-detectable.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants Who Were Positive or Negative for Complement Component 1, Q Subcomponent (C1q)-Binding DSA
Percentage of participants who were positive or negative for C1q-binding DSA were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants Who Were Positive or Negative for DSA Immunoglobulin G (IgG3) Isotype
Percentage of participants who were positive or negative for IgG3 isotype were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of DSA Positive Participants With Human Leukocyte Antigen, Class II, DQ Locus (HLA-DQ)
Percentage of DSA positive participants with HLA-DQ Class-II were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants Who Were Positive for IA Occurrence From Day 1 to Day 365 Visit
IA was considered either present or absent using the Trugraf™ v2.0 molecular assay. A negative designation (Trugraf TX Normal) was referred to as Immune Quiescence (IQ). Due to operating characteristics of the assay, a positive designation was considered evidence of IA in all participants.
Time frame: From day 1 to day 365 visit
Percentage of Participants Who Were Positive for IA Occurrence From Day 30 to Day 365 Visit
IA was considered either present or absent using the Trugraf™ v2.0 molecular assay. A negative designation (Trugraf TX Normal) was referred to as Immune Quiescence (IQ). Due to operating characteristics of the assay, a positive designation was considered evidence of IA in all participants.
Time frame: From day 30 to day 365 visit
Percentage of Participants With IA Persistence
IA was regarded as persistent under the following conditions: (i) IA was detected and remained above the threshold for positivity for two consecutive or non-consecutive measurements, or (ii) the new appearance of an IA at the threshold for positivity when preceded by an IA of a different specificity that had subsequently become non-detectable.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants With Presence of Transplant Glomerulopathy (TG) on Biopsy
TG was defined as chronic glomerulopathy (cg) \>0 on centrally-interpreted institutional protocol biopsy or biopsy obtained for cause during the first year post-transplant with +2 months visit window.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Presence of Microcirculatory Inflammation (MI) on Biopsy
MI was defined as glomerulitis (g) + peritubular capillaritis (ptc)\>=2 on centrally-interpreted institutional protocol biopsy or biopsy obtained for cause during the first year post-transplant, with +2 months visit window.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Presence of Interstitial Fibrosis and Tubular Atrophy (IFTA) and Inflammation on Biopsy
IFTA and inflammation was defined as IFTA positive and inflammation positive (i \>0) on centrally-interpreted institutional protocol biopsy or biopsy obtained for cause during the first year posttransplant, with +2 months visit window.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) Threshold of <30 Millimetre Per Minute Per 1.73 Meter Square (mL/Min/1.73m^2)
The eGFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula.
Time frame: At 1 year post transplant
Percentage of Participants With eGFR Threshold of <40 mL/Min/1.73m^2
The eGFR was calculated using the MDRD formula.
Time frame: At 1 year post transplant
Percentage of Participants With eGFR Threshold of <50 mL/Min/1.73m^2
The eGFR was calculated using the MDRD formula.
Time frame: At 1 year post transplant
Percentage of Participants With a Five-point Decline in eGFR
The eGFR was calculated using the MDRD formula.
Time frame: From 30 days post transplant until 1 year
eGFR at Day 30, Day 90, Day 180, Day 270 and Day 365
The eGFR was calculated using the MDRD formula.
Time frame: Day 30, day 90, day 180, day 270 and day 365
Percentage of Participants With Graft Loss
Graft loss was defined as re-transplantation, transplant nephrectomy, or a return to dialysis for at least a six week duration, or participants' death.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants Who Died
Percentage of participants who died were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants With Biopsy-Proven Acute Rejection (BPAR)
Positivity was determined by local biopsy, central pathology, or reported adverse events.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants Who Were Lost to Follow-up
Percentage of participants who were lost to follow-up were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants With Either Graft Loss, Death, BPAR or Lost to Follow-up
Percentage of participants with either graft loss, death, BPAR or lost to follow-up were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants With Any Antibody-Mediated Rejection (ABMR)
Percentage of participants with ABMR were reported. Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. A positive assessment is defined as antibody mediated changes that are diagnosed as either acute ABMR or chronic active ABMR.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Normal Biopsy Findings
Percentage of participants with normal biopsy findings were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With C4d Deposition Without Active Rejection
Percentage of participants with C4d deposition without active rejection were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Acute ABMR
Percentage of participants with acute ABMR were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Grade I, II and III Acute ABMR
Percentage of participants with grade I, II and III acute ABMR were reported. Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Acute ABMR was graded as Grade I: acute tubular necrosis-like -like minimal inflammation, Grade II: Capillary and or glomerular inflammation (ptc/g \>0) and/or thromboses, and Grade III: arterial - v3.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Chronic ABMR
Percentage of participants with chronic ABMR were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Borderline Changes
Percentage of participants with borderline changes were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Acute T-cell Mediated Rejection (TCMR)
Percentage of participants with acute TCMR were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Chronic TCMR
Percentage of participants with chronic TCMR were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Grade I, II and III IFTA
Percentage of participants with Grade I, II and III IFTA were reported. Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. IFTA was graded as Grade I: mild interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (\<25% of cortical area), Grade II: moderate interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (26-50% of cortical area), and Grade III: severe interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy/ loss (\>50% of cortical area).
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Any Additional Findings
Percentage of participants with any additional findings (other than Normal biopsy, borderline changes, acute and chronic ABMR, Grade I, II, and III ABMR, C4D deposition, acute and chronic TCMR, Grade I, II, and III TCMR, Grade I, II and III IFTA, acute tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis, pyelonephritis, bk virus, calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, hemolytic uremic syndrome and recurrent disease) were reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Glomerulitis (g) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= No glomerulitis, Score 1= \<25% glomerulitis, Score 2= 25 to 75% glomerulitis and Score 3= \>75% glomerulitis.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Tubulitis (t) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= No mononuclear cells in tubules or single focus of tubulitis only, Score 1= Foci with 1 to 4 mononuclear cells/tubular cross section (or 10 tubular cells), Score 2= Foci with 5 to 10 mononuclear cells/tubular cross section (or 10 tubular cells) and Score 3= Foci with \>10 mononuclear cells/tubular cross section or the presence of ≥2 areas of tubular basement membrane destruction accompanied by i2/i3 inflammation and t2 elsewhere.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Intimal Arteritis (v) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= No arteritis, Score 1= Mild to moderate intimal arteritis in at least 1 arterial cross section, Score 2= Severe intimal arteritis with at least 25% luminal area lost in at least 1 arterial cross section and Score 3= Transmural arteritis and/or arterial fibrinoid change and medial smooth muscle necrosis with lymphocytic infiltrate in vessel.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Mononuclear Cell Interstitial Inflammation (i) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= No inflammation or in less than 10% of unscarred cortical parenchyma, Score 1= Inflammation in 10 to 25% of unscarred cortical parenchyma, Score 2= Inflammation in 26 to 50% of unscarred cortical parenchyma and Score 3= Inflammation in more than 50% of unscarred cortical parenchyma.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Glomerular Basement Membrane Double Contours (cg) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= No GBM double contours by light microscopy (LM) or electron microscopy (EM), Score 1= No GBM double contours by LM but GBM double contours (incomplete or circumferential) in at least 3 glomerular capillaries by EM or Double contours of the GBM in 1-25% of capillary loops in the most affected nonsclerotic glomerulus by LM , Score 2= Double contours affecting 26 to 50% of peripheral capillary loops in the most affected-glomerulus and Score 3= Double contours affecting more than 50% of peripheral capillary loops in the most affected-glomerulus.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Tubular Atrophy (ct) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= No tubular atrophy, Score 1= Tubular atrophy involving up to 25% of the area of cortical tubules, Score 2= Tubular atrophy involving 26 to 50% of the area of cortical tubules and Score 3= Tubular atrophy involving in \>50% of the area of cortical tubules.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Interstitial Fibrosis (ci) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= Interstitial fibrosis in up to 5% of cortical area, Score 1= Interstitial fibrosis in 6 to 25%of cortical area (mild interstitial fibrosis), Score 2= Interstitial fibrosis in 26 to 50% of cortical area (moderate interstitial fibrosis) and Score 3= Interstitial fibrosis in \>50% of cortical area (severe interstitial fibrosis).
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Vascular Fibrous Intimal Thickening (cv) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= No chronic vascular changes, Score 1= Vascular narrowing of up to 25% luminal area by fibrointimal thickening, Score 2= Vascular narrowing of 26 to 50% luminal area by fibrointimal thickening and Score 3= Vascular narrowing of more than 50% luminal area by fibrointimal thickening.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Arteriolar Hyalinosis (ah) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= No periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive hyaline arteriolar thickening, Score 1= Mild to moderate PAS-positive hyaline thickening in at least 1 arteriole, Score 2= Moderate to severe PAS-positive hyaline thickening in more than 1 arteriole and Score 3= Severe PAS-positive hyaline thickening in many arterioles.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Peritubular Capillaritis (Ptc) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= Maximum number of leukocytes \<3, Score 1= At least 1 leukocyte cell in ≥10% of cortical PTCs with 3-4 leukocytes in most severely involved PTC, Score 2= At least 1 leukocyte in ≥10% of cortical PTC with 5-10 leukocytes in most severely involved PTC and Score 3= At least 1 leukocyte in ≥10% of cortical PTC with \>10 leukocytes in most severely involved PTC.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Percentage of Participants With Mesangial Matrix Expansion (mm) Biopsy Score Assessed Using Banff Lesion Scores
Central pathology reading was performed as per the 2007 Update to the Banff '97 classification. Banff Lesion Scores assess the presence and the degree of histopathological changes in the different compartments of renal transplant biopsies, focusing primarily but not exclusively on the diagnostic features seen in rejection. \[Roufosse C et. al 2018\]. Here, Score 0= No more than mild mesangial matrix increase in any glomerulus, Score 1= At least moderate mesangial matrix increase in up to 25% of nonsclerotic glomeruli, Score 2= At least moderate mesangial matrix increase in 26% to 50% of nonsclerotic glomeruli and Score 3= At least moderate mesangial matrix increase in \>50% of nonsclerotic glomeruli.
Time frame: From date of transplant until month 14
Time to First Occurrence of DSA
DSA was considered as a categorical (binary) variable with positivity determined at a threshold criteria approaching MFI=1000 at any time during the study.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of HLA-DQ DSA
Time to first occurrence of HLA-DQ DSA was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of C1q-binding DSA
Time to first occurrence of C1q-binding DSA was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of DSA IgG3 Isotype
Time to first occurrence of DSA IgG3 isotype was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of IA
Time to first occurrence of IA was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of TG on Biopsy
Time to first occurrence of TG on biopsy was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to Occurrence of Death
Time to occurrence of death was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of Local BPAR
Time to first occurrence of local BPAR was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of Acute Forms of ABMR
Time to first occurrence of acute forms of ABMR was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of Chronic Forms of ABMR
Time to first occurrence of chronic forms of ABMR was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of Acute TCMR
Time to first occurrence of acute TCMR was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of Chronic TCMR
Time to first occurrence of chronic TCMR was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of Borderline Changes
Time to first occurrence of borderline changes was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Time to First Occurrence of IFTA
Time to first occurrence of IFTA was reported.
Time frame: From date of transplant until 1 year
Percentage of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Event(TEAEs), Related TEAEs, Treatment-emergent Serious Adverse Event (TESAEs), Related TESAEs, TEAEs Leading to Discontinuation of Study Treatment and TEAEs Leading to Death
A TEAE was defined as an Adverse Event (AE) observed on or after the day of starting the administration of the test drug/comparative drug.
Time frame: From first dose of study drug up to 7 days after last dose of study drug (up to 2 years)
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