Gradual Withdrawal of Immune System Suppressing Drugs in Patients Receiving a Liver Transplant
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2015-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
In order to prevent organ rejection, patients receiving liver transplants currently require
life-long treatment with immune system-suppressing medications to prevent the rejection of
the transplanted liver. However, these medications can cause long-term side effects, such as
infection, kidney problems, diabetes, and cancer. In patients infected with hepatitis C virus
(HCV), these medications may increase the risk of HCV infection in the transplanted liver.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a slow withdrawal of immune
system-suppressing medications is safe in two groups of subjects: those who receive a liver
transplant due to HCV, and those who receive a liver transplant due to non-immune, non-viral
causes of liver failure. The study will also look at whether slow withdrawal will help reduce
the long-term side effects of immune system-suppressing medications and decrease the chance
for HCV infection of the new liver in transplant patients with HCV.
Phase:
Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)