This is an unblinded, randomized, controlled, two-arm interventional research study enrolling patients who are undergoing heart transplantation. The aim of the study is to determine whether patients at low risk of rejection can safely reduce the doses of their post-transplant immunosuppression medications using a combination of tests that include donor-specific antibodies (DSA), histology (looking at tissue from the donor heart), donor-derived cell-free DNA (AlloSure), and gene expression profiling (AlloMap). Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into the HeartCare immune-optimization (intervention) arm or the corresponding observational (control) arm. AlloSure and AlloMap are the components of the HeartCare panel developed by CareDx.
This is an open-label randomized controlled two-arm interventional trial. Eligible patients starting triple maintenance therapy (tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone) post-transplant will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio into the HeartCare immuno-optimization (intervention) arm or the corresponding observational (control) arm. Participants enrolled in the study will begin HeartCare testing as specified in the protocol. All centers will use their own induction regimen provided that the induction practice represents standard of care. Participants will be randomized at 4-weeks post-transplant, assuming they meet requisite clinical/laboratory/histological criteria to proceed. In the Interventional Arm, participants will begin stepwise optimization of their immunosuppression regimen based on their HeartCare, clinical DSA testing, and histology. Patient data (including diagnosis and biopsy outcomes) will be collected through an electronic data capture portal where key results will be transcribed from the hospital EMR into the portal.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
930
Using HeartCare platform as a tool to successfully augment immunosuppressant agents through regular surveillance allowing minimization of doses and number of agents.
Incidence of Allograft loss at 12-months post-transplant (safety)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 12 months
Incidence of Allograft loss at 24-months post-transplant (safety)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 24 months
Total number of acute rejection episodes (ACR >2R or AMR*) at 12-months post-transplant (safety)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 12 months
Total number of acute rejection episodes (ACR >2R or AMR*) at 24-months post-transplant (safety)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 24 months
EQ-5D survey performed at 12-months post-transplant to assess allograft function (safety)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 12 months
TTE imaging performed at 12-months post-transplant to assess allograft function (safety)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 12 months
EQ-5D survey performed at 24-months post-transplant to assess allograft function (safety)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 24 months
TTE imaging performed at 24-months post-transplant to assess allograft function (safety)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 24 months
Incidence of dnDSA formation at 12-months post-transplant (safety and efficacy)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 12 months
Incidence of dnDSA formation at 24-months post-transplant (safety and efficacy)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 24 months
Change in eGFR at 12-months post-transplant (efficacy)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 12 months
Change in eGFR at 24-months post-transplant (efficacy)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 24 months
Total number of biopsies performed post-transplant, including both surveillance and clinically indicated biopsies (efficacy)
Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HeartCare as a tool to successfully optimize immunosuppressant agents using regular surveillance for safe drug minimization.
Time frame: 24 months
Histological assessment of tissue biopsy with paired AlloSure dd-cfDNA and AlloMap GEP results (HeartCare) - performed both 'For Cause' and 'Surveillance' using standard biopsy assessment.
Identify correlation between HeartCare and histopathological allograft rejection based on all clinical biopsies.
Time frame: 6 months
Association between AlloSure dd-cfDNA and AlloMap GEP (HeartCare) results with successful immuno-optimization, longitudinal clinical/laboratory parameters (dnDSA), and histologic data (allograft rejection, CAV).
Establish temporal relationships between HeartCare and allograft injury patterns such as dnDSA formation, allograft rejection and CAV.
Time frame: 24 months
Data collection from patient medical record, to capture episodes of infection, viral PCR results, changes in immunosuppression and treatment of rejection, as well as all adverse advents.
Assessment of all medical events throughout the duration of the study.
Time frame: 24 months
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