Effects of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) On Anti-HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen)Antibody Levels In Patients Awaiting Cadaveric Renal Transplant.

This is a 12-month, phase II, prospective, open label study, to evaluate the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) among patients on the kidney transplant list with high Panel of Reactive Antibody (PRA) levels.

On average, increasing the PRA from 0 to 50% specifically in the Washington Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) increases the waiting time from 3 to 6 years. Spontaneous decreases in the PRA rarely occur and is associated with a decreased chance for transplantation and a decreased rate of survival.

HYPOTHESIS: mycophenolate mofetil given over 8 months to highly sensitized subjects awaiting kidney transplant, will result in a decrement in the PRA by 10% or more in approximately 40% of patients. This decrement should allow an improved rate of transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Patients who have been exposed to human tissue by prior transplants, blood transfusion or pregnancy may develop anti-bodies against the 'cell markers of human white blood cells' called 'Human Leukocyte Antigens' (HLA). Preformed anti-bodies to these foreign human tissues is called SENSITIZATION. Sensitized patients are more likely to reject a kidney from a donor who possesses the antigenic profile to which they are already sensitized. This limits the recipient's possible donor pool out of the general population.

The Panel of Reactive Antibodies (PRA) is a test panel that represents the HLA antigenic profile of the local community. The test panel is used to measure the recipient's reactivity (by percent) to a variety of HLA antigens. A PRA of 75% means the patient reacted to 75% of the antigens on the test panel. A PRA panel greater than 50% indicates that the subject (potential organ recipient) already has a significant number of antibodies pre-formed to other human tissue and is highly sensitized. Spontaneous decreases in PRA titers rarely occur thus the probability of transplantation in sensitized patients is significantly decreased.

STUDY POPULATION: adult University of Washington Medical Center patients, on the kidney transplant waiting list who are currently receiving dialysis with a PRA level over 50% and for a period of 6 months or longer.

TREATMENT PLAN/ INTERVENTION:

CONSENT: Consent will be obtained from all subjects. SCREENING: Prior to starting MMF, a thorough medical history physical exam will be obtained. Patients will be screened clinically for occurrence of infection and for protective antibodies in response to prior vaccinations and assure that they are up to date with their immunizations.

INVESTIGATIONAL PRODUCT: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is used as a routine therapy for the prevention of rejection in transplant recipients and is also used routinely for the treatment of autoimmune disease and primary renal diseases such as IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis.

HOFFMANN LA ROCHE: Will provide Mycophenolate mofetil, MMF as CellCept well as costs for laboratory testing.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: MMF will be dispensed by investigational drug pharmacists in 250mg capsules, taken orally twice daily. Dosing of MMF will begin at 500 mg bid for 30 days then increased to 1 gm bid if subject is not experiencing undo gastrointestinal side effects or a decrease in WBC.

STUDY DESIGN:

The subjects will be continually evaluated for 12 months. Month 4: If the subject's PRA drops by 10% at month 4, subject will remain on MMF without any changes. If subject's PRA does NOT drop by 10% at month four and infections have NOT occurred, subject will remain on MMF and increase dosage if possible.

If at month four, more than 4 serious infections have occurred the MMF dose will be reduced and or stopped for that subject. If stopped they will be followed for 4 months.

Month 8:

If the subject's PRA does NOT drop by 10% at month 8, the MMF will be discontinued and the subject will be followed for the next 4 months to month 12 post enrollment.

If subject's PRA DOES drop by 10% at month 8 and NO infection(s) have occurred, subject will continue on MMF to month 12. Study subjects will be followed for a maximum of 12 months.

OBJECTIVES:

The primary endpoint:

1) The number of subjects who achieve a PRA reduction of 10% or greater within 8 months of initiating mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)therapy.

The secondary outcome measures will include:

1. The number of subjects who received a transplant during the study,
2. The number of subjects who experienced Institutional Review Board (IRB) reportable infections,
3. The number of subjects who's white blood cell count (WBC) or Immunoglobulin G or M (IgG/ IgM) titers are below range,
4. The number of transplants with a negative crossmatch.

CLINICAL AND LABORATORY EVALUATIONS:

LAB ASSESSMENT:

Immunology: PRA (panel of reactive antibodies) will be taken monthly and the levels of individual HLA anti-bodies will be evaluated every other month.

Safety:

Total levels of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM), as measures of the indigenous anti-body population levels. As well as HepB surface Antibody and CMV are tests done to monitor to screen for changes in the health of the subject's immune system ie. loss of memory for immunization.

A complete blood count (CBC) is taken at each visit to screen for anemia. Differential analysis on CBD for screening against platelet reduction and possible bone marrow suppression. The subject's CBC will be checked more frequently if his/her WBC, hematocrit or platelets are low. Subjects will be followed closely through 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Persons on the kidney transplant waiting list who are currently receiving hemodialysis
* Age range 18 - 75
* Outpatient status
* Patients with a PRA over 50% for over 6 months
* Patients with updated immunizations for tetanus, influenza, hepatitis B, pneumococcus
* Patients with a PPD (purified protein derivative) test within the last 6 months. If subject has a prior history of TB (tuberculosis) or positive PPD, documentation of adequate treatment is required.
* Women who are of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test prior to being enrolled in the study and agree to use a medically acceptable method of contraception throughout the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active infection
* History of multiple recurrent infections defined as more than 3 urinary tract infections, 2 episodes of pneumonia or 3 episodes of otitis/sinusitis in one year, or more than two dialysis line or peritoneal infections within one year. Infection with HCV (hepatitis C virus) or HBV (hepatitis B virus) or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
* Lack of documentation of PPD testing
* Lack of documentation of treatment of a positive PPD
* Pregnant or breast-feeding
* Baseline leukopenia, WBC \< 4.0
* Thrombocytopenia (platelet count \< 130) or difficult to treat anemia, HCT chronically \< 32 on intravenous iron and EPO (erythropoietin) therapy
* Transfusion within 6 months