The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the pulse wave velocity and vascular compliance measurements at the beginning and the end of the study while the participants are taking either extended release tacrolimus tablets (known by brand name Envarsus XR®, and also referred to as LCPT in this study) given once-daily each morning after transplantation or immediate release tacrolimus capsules (also known by brand name Prograf® or abbreviation IR-TAC in this study) that are administered twice-daily 12 hours apart after kidney transplantation. Pulse wave velocity and vascular compliance measurements are two non-invasive tests that are used to evaluate how well the blood vessels adapt to each heartbeat. The secondary purpose is to look at the effectiveness and safety of LCPT given once-daily compared to IR-TAC given twice-daily 12 hours apart after kidney transplantation.
There are several medicines that are given to kidney transplant patients to prevent the body's immune system from rejecting (not accepting) the transplanted kidney. Frequently, more than one medicine is used at the same time to prevent rejection after kidney transplant. Some of the medicines currently used are IR-TAC, Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), Mycophenolate sodium (MPS), and corticosteroids. IR-TAC is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the trade name of Prograf® or equivalent generic versions to prevent rejection in kidney transplant recipients. IR-TAC is taken twice daily (12 hours apart), and the dose is adjusted by the transplant provider to keep the level of tacrolimus in the blood from being too low or too high. LCPT is a tablet containing the same active ingredient that is in IR-TAC but LCPT has been designed to release tacrolimus over a longer period of time so that it only has to be taken once a day in the morning. The dose of it is also adjusted by the transplant provider to keep the level of tacrolimus in the blood from being too low or too high. It has been approved by the FDA for prevention of rejection in kidney transplant recipients in combination with other medications to prevent rejection after kidney transplant. In this study, the participants will be randomly assigned by chance (like flipping a coin) to receive either IR-TAC or LCPT from the time of transplant-on. Approximately half (30) of the study participants will be given IR-TAC and half will be given LCPT. Both the study participants and the transplant providers will know which medication that the participants are receiving. The participants will remain in the study for up to 12 months during which time they will be seen for monthly clinic visits, and complete labs per the standard of care. Additionally, the study investigators will take an additional blood sample to further find out how the body absorbs and breaks down the medication tacrolimus. Participants will also undergo non-invasive pulse wave velocity and vascular compliance measurements within 3 days of post transplant, then 1 month and 12 months after transplant. Pulse wave velocity and vascular compliance measurements are two non-invasive tests that are used to evaluate how well the blood vessels adapt to each heartbeat. All participants will also be taking either Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or Mycophenolate sodium (MPS) and corticosteroids to prevent rejection. These procedures will help the investigators to look at the effectiveness and safety of LCPT compared to IR-TAC after kidney transplant.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
The primary objective is to assess the change in pulse wave velocity (PWV) and vascular compliance measurements from baseline to 12-24 months after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
The primary objective is to assess the change in pulse wave velocity (PWV) and vascular compliance measurements from baseline to 12-24 months after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Assess Change in Pulse Wave Velocity
To assess the change in PWV measurements (m/sec) from baseline to 12-24 months after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: baseline and months 12-24 post transplant
Assess Change in Vascular Compliance measurements
To assess the change in vascular compliance using central blood pressure (mmHg) from baseline to 12-24 months after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: baseline and months 12-24 post transplant
Assess Change in Vascular Compliance
To assess the change in vascular compliance using Augmentation Index (ratio) from baseline to 12 -24 months after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: baseline and months 12-24 post transplant
Assess Change in Pulse Wave Velocity measurements
To assess the change in PWV measurements (m/sec) from baseline to 1 month after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: baseline and 1 month post transplant
Assess Change in Vascular Compliance measurements
To assess the change in vascular compliance using central blood pressure (mmHg) from baseline to 1 month after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac. Augmentation Index (ratio) measurements from baseline to 1 month after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: baseline and 1 month post transplant
Assess Change in Vascular Compliance
To assess the change in vascular compliance using Augmentation Index (ratio) from baseline to 1 month after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac. Augmentation Index (ratio) measurements from baseline to 1 month after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: baseline and 1 month post transplant
Compare Percent of Kidney Recipients with Tacrolimus Time in Therapeutic Range
To compare % of kidney recipient subjects with Tacrolimus time in therapeutic range (TTR) \< 60% or \< 75% by 12-24 months: (TTR will be defined as trough level between 7.5-12.5 ug/L between week 1 after transplant-month 1, 7.5-10.5ug/L between Months 2-3, 5.5-8.5 ug/L between months 4-12 after transplant, and 4.5-7.5ug/L 12 month onward) in patients on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: 1 year
Compare the variability of Tacrolimus levels between LCPT and IR-Tac
To compare the variability of Tacrolimus levels between LCPT and IR-Tac using coefficient of variation (CV); high Tacrolimus CV will be defined \> 40% during the first 12-24 months after transplant in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: First 12-24 months
Compare steady-state mg/kg Tacrolimus dosing requirements
To compare steady-state mg/kg Tacrolimus dosing requirements to reach initial therapeutic troughs (defined as 8-12 ug/L) in kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac by CYP3A5\*1 expressers vs. CYP3A5\*1 non-expressers.
Time frame: At baseline
Compare Tacrolimus-related medication adherence
To compare Tacrolimus-related medication adherence (measured by patient report of missed doses at transplant nephrology visits) in all kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: at months 1,2,3,6 and 12-24
Compare mean systolic and arterial blood pressure
To compare mean systolic and arterial blood pressure in all kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: at baseline and 12-24 months post-transplant
Compare anti-hypertensive medication use
To compare anti-hypertensive medication use in all kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: at baseline and 12-24 months post-transplant
Compare mean diastolic and arterial blood pressure
To compare mean diastolic and arterial blood pressure in all kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: at baseline and 12-24 months post-transplant
Compare estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measured by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula
To compare estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) via Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) 4 calculation in all kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: At 6 months and 12-24 months post- transplant
Compare hemoglobin A1C values
To compare the occurrence of a new diagnosis pre-diabetes (as documented in the electronic health record) and hemoglobin A1C values in all non-diabetic kidney transplant subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: Post- transplant at months 3, 6, and 12-24
Compare the incidence of development of donor specific antibodies
To compare the incidence of development of donor specific antibodies (DSA) in all kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: At months 1, 3, 6 and 12-24 post- transplant
Compare the incidence of development of BK virus
To compare the incidence of development of BK virus (defined as BKV \> 2.5 log copies/mL) in all kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: At months 1, 3, 6, and 12-24 post- transplant
Compare the incidence of serious adverse events
To compare the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) (including infections resulting in hospitalization, development of biopsy proven cellular and antibody mediated rejection by Banff criteria when biopsy performed for clinical indications, graft loss and patient death) in all kidney recipient subjects on LCPT compared to those on IR-Tac.
Time frame: At months 6 and 12-24 post- transplant
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