BK Viremia After Renal Transplantation
Information source: Karolinska University Hospital
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 20, 2015 Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Terminal Renal Failure; BK Virus Infection
Intervention: leflunomide (Drug)
Phase: N/A
Status: Active, not recruiting
Sponsored by: Karolinska University Hospital Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s): Lars Wennberg, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Karolinska University Hospital
Summary
Hypothesis: Early detection, and treatment, of BK virus infection after kidney
transplantation will prevent BK virus associated kidney transplant injury.
BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVN) is estimated to cause a progressive kidney transplant
injury in 1-10% of renal transplant recipients. Diagnostic and monitoring strategies for
BKVN is still being developed. Detectable virus in the blood by polymerase change
reaction-test (PCR) is predictive of BKVN. Additionally, PCR provides a objective estimate
of the degree of infection.
If early detection and treatment of BK virus infection is effective in preventing subsequent
kidney transplant injury has not been studied. However, renal injury and dysfunction
develops late in the natural course of BKVN and it seems likely that screening in
combination with early treatment would be beneficial for long-term transplant survival.
There is no established treatment for BK virus infection. Nevertheless, in kidney
transplanted patients diagnosed with BK virus infection, immunosuppression is reduced to
allow the patients own immune system to handle the virus. However, reduction of
immunosuppression has not been associated with rejection. This indicate that these patients
were over-immunosuppressed, predisposing them to BKVN. Therefore, to compare the degree of
immunosuppression in BKVN patients (over-immunosuppressed) to other patients (not
over-immunosuppressed) could yield interesting information. One possibility would be to
quantify these patients specific cellular immune response to BK virus but also to other
viruses (T cell reactivity).
Leflunomide (Arava) is an immunosuppressive drug, approved for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis, and has been used in more than 300,000 patients worldwide. Furthermore,
leflunomide has been used safely in humans after clinical kidney and liver transplantation
for more than 300 days. In addition to leflunomide's value in preventing rejection, it has
been shown to exert inhibitory effects on different viruses. Recently published pilot
studies suggest that leflunomide treatment of patients with BKVN significantly reduces the
amount of BK virus in blood and prevents recurrence of kidney transplant injury. At
Karolinska University Hospital, leflunomide has been used for treatment of BKVN and, in some
of the patients, renal function has stabilized and BK virus load has decreased
significantly.
Clinical Details
Official title: BK Viremia After Renal Transplantation: Screening, Early Diagnosis, Early Reduction in Immunosuppression and Treatment With Leflunomide (Arava)
Study design: Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Primary outcome: Renal function (serum creatinine)
Secondary outcome: Incidence of BK virus associated nephropathy
Eligibility
Minimum age: 18 Years.
Maximum age: N/A.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- All adult patients undergoing kidney transplantation at Karolinska University
Hospital
Exclusion Criteria:
- Absence of informed consent
- Allergy to leflunomide
- Pregnancy
Locations and Contacts
Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 14186, Sweden
Additional Information
Starting date: May 2007
Last updated: February 5, 2009
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