In spite of conventional immunosuppression with lymphocyte-depleting induction followed by tacrolimus- and mycophenolate-based regimens, African American (AA) renal transplant recipients experience higher rates of acute rejection (AR), donor specific antibodies (DSA), and graft failure. Envarsus Extended-Release (XR)® (ENV) is a novel extended-release formulation of tacrolimus with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, even in the setting of CYP3A5\*1 allele (rapid metabolizers). The investigator will evaluate the safety and efficacy of early dose escalation with ENV in AA recipients. The study hypothesis is that higher tacrolimus target concentrations may be achieved without typical dose-limiting toxicities, and this may ultimately result in lower incidence of early AR, DSA, and graft loss.
Phase 4 (post-marketing) De novo African American living or deceased donor renal transplant recipients 18 to 65 years of age Number of subjects to be enrolled: 60 All patients will receive standard induction immunosuppression according to institution protocol. Within one week of transplantation, all patients will be converted from immediate-release tacrolimus (TAC) to extended-release tacrolimus (ENV) at 20% reduction in total daily dosage. Patients will be randomized to low-, moderate-, or high-intensity ENV groups, stratified by peak panel reactive antibody (pPRA) greater than or equal to 75%. Target tacrolimus trough concentrations for the first month post-transplant will be 8-10 ng/mL in low-intensity group, 10-12 ng/mL in moderate-intensity group, and 12-14 ng/mL in high-intensity group; likewise from month 1-3 post-transplant, target trough concentrations will be 6-8 ng/mL, 8-10 ng/mL, and 10-12 ng/mL, respectively. Subjects experiencing dose-limiting adverse events (AEs) will be de-escalated as warranted. Following month 3, all patients will be maintained on ENV at target tacrolimus trough concentrations according to institution protocol. Additional maintenance immunosuppression will consist of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) at a goal dose of 2000 mg daily along with an oral prednisone taper to 5-10 mg daily by the end of month 1. All patients will be followed for 6 months post-transplant.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
46
tacrolimus, extended-release tablets, a calcineurin inhibitor
Number of participants reaching the composite endpoint
Composite endpoint of freedom from all of the following: i) biopsy-proven T-cell mediated rejection Banff Grade ≥1A, ii) antibody-mediated rejection, iii) de novo DSA, or iv) immune-mediated graft loss. The endpoint is a binary endpoint (Yes or No) of the composite of all 4 potential outcomes. The presence of any one of the four possible outcomes will be counted as a No for the binary endpoint (no freedom from the composite endpoint). The absence of all 4 possible outcomes will be counted as Yes for freedom from all of the possible outcomes.
Time frame: 6 months
Proportion of subjects experiencing nephrotoxicity during the study
Increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.3mg/dL
Time frame: 6 months
Proportion of subjects experiencing neurotoxicity during the study
Clinical intolerability including headache or significant tremors that resolve with reduction of the dose of Envarsus
Time frame: 6 months
Proportion of subjects experiencing infectious complications during the study
Participants requiring extended (\>2 weeks) reduction in dose of Envarsus due to BK-polyomavirus or cytomegalovirus viral loads at 1, 3, and 6 months post-transplant
Time frame: 6 months
Difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1, 3, and 6 months between groups of enrolled subjects
Assessed as the Chronic Kidney Disease - Epidemiology Collaboration equation
Time frame: 6 months
Difference in immunosuppressant side effects between enrolled subjects
Assessed using the "Immunosuppressant Side Effects Instrument - The Memphis Survey" questionnaire
Time frame: 6 months
Enrolled subject overall survival and Graft survival at 6 months
Freedom from death and from graft loss at 6 months
Time frame: 6 months
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