Belatacept in De Novo Heart Transplantation - Pilot Study
NYU Langone Health
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if Belatacept is safe to give to adult heart transplant recipients. Belatacept (NULOJIX) is an anti-rejection medication that is available through a prescription from a doctor. In this research study, belatacept is being used in an investigational manner (not for the purpose that it is approved for).
Description
Long-term outcomes after heart transplant remain suboptimal with renal failure and cardiac allograft vasculopathy contributing to morbidity and mortality. Belatacept is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use in kidney transplant recipients on the basis of two randomized controlled trials, which demonstrated important renal sparing benefits, a reduction in de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSA), and improved long-term outcomes. In this study, ten (10) primary heart transplant recipients will receive belatacept in addition to mycophenolate mofetil, corticosteroids, and a tacrolimus…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or non-pregnant female, age ≥18 to ≤75 years 2. Awaiting a primary heart transplant (listed for heart transplant only) 3. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) IgG seropositive 4. Able to take oral medication and willing to adhere to the belatacept infusion regimen 5. No desensitization therapy prior to transplant 6. Vaccinations should be up to date for hepatitis B, influenza pneumococcal, haemophilus, varicella zoster virus (VZV), measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) (for participants \< 45 years of age) when available 7. Female subjects of childb…
Interventions
- DrugBelatacept
Belatacept will be given in the following way - 10mg/kg IV day 1, 5, end of weeks 2, 4, 8, 12 then 5mg/kg every 4 weeks.
- DrugTacrolimus
Non-experimental: Tacrolimus will be given in the following way - trough level at month 1, 10-12ng/mL; month 2-3, 6-10ng/mL; month 4-6, 4-6ng/mL; months 7-9 taper off.
- DrugMycophenolate Mofetil
Non-experimental: MMF is part of standard of care after heart transplant and will follow dosing recommendations as per standard clinical practice at 500-1500mg twice a day (BID) (dosed to tolerance and effect).
- DrugCorticosteroid
Non-experimental: CS is part of standard of care after heart transplant and will follow dosing recommendations as per standard clinical practice at a dose no less than 5mg/d.
Locations (2)
- NYU Langone HealthNew York, New York
- Columbia UniversityNew York, New York