Pediatric Kidney Transplant Without Calcineurin Inhibitors

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The purpose of this study is to see the effect of using drugs other than calcineurin inhibitors to improve the rate of kidney transplant failure. Kidney transplantation can help children with end-stage kidney disease. However, it has been difficult to find treatment for donor graft rejection that does not have a lot of side effects. Researchers hope to find treatments (immunosuppressants) with fewer side effects. One approach is to avoid using calcineurin inhibitors and to try a new drug known as sirolimus instead. Another is to use steroids less often. This study will test whether using sirolimus, fewer steroid treatments, MMF, and certain antibodies will improve long-term graft survival in children receiving kidney transplants from living donors.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Renal transplantation is widely recognized as the treatment of choice for children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although outcomes of renal transplantation in children have improved during the past decade, success has been limited by both non-specific tolerance and the complications associated with immunosuppressants. Steroids and calcineurin inhibitors have the most toxic side effects. Use of sirolimus for immunosuppression has not been associated with as many complications. Recent studies from Europe have demonstrated that sirolimus can be combined with MMF and steroids to provide excellent graft survival in the absence of calcineurin inhibitors. Steroid side-effects can be lessened by tapering the steroid dose to an every-other-day schedule. This protocol tests whether immunosuppression by IL-2r antibody, sirolimus, MMF, and alternate-day steroids will provide comparable graft survival for living donor recipients, compared to current immunosuppression, but with reduced complications of calcineurin inhibitors. Evaluations prior to transplantation include a complete history and physical examination, CBC, liver function tests, and antibodies for CMV, EBV, HIV, HbsAG, and HCV. All appropriate vaccinations are provided before transplantation. Transplant recipients receive immunosuppression therapy using antibody induction (daclizumab), corticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil, and sirolimus. Serum sirolimus levels are measured so that doses can be adjusted to maintain certain blood levels of the drug. Bactrim and ganciclovir are given for infection prophylaxis. If the patient has consistent high levels of fasting cholesterol, treatment with lipitor may be given. A transplant biopsy is performed at the time of the transplant and at 3, 6, and 12 months post transplantation and at times when a rejection is suspected. A radionuclide GFR is done at the same time points, and at 1, 24, and 36 months. The protocol biopsies, blood, and urine samples will be analyzed by genomic methods to determine differences in gene expression post transplantation. In the event of a first acute rejection, patients are treated with Solu-Medrol for 3 consecutive days. A second rejection (at the discretion of the transplant center) or severe rejection (Banff Grade 3) is treated with antibody therapy and, after a second or severe rejection, the immunosuppressant regimen is changed. Patients are followed for 36 months with routine physical examinations and laboratory assessments.

Official Title
-----------------
Calcineurin Inhibitor Sparing Protocol in Living Donor Pediatric Kidney Transplantation

Conditions
-----------------
End-Stage Renal Disease

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Drug: Daclizumab
* Drug: Methylprednisolone/prednisone
* Drug: Mycophenolate mofetil
* Drug: Sirolimus
* Drug: Bactrim
* Drug: Ganciclovir
* Drug: Lipitor


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria Patients may be eligible for this study if they: Are 21 years of age and under. Are kidney recipients of living-donor grafts, except when living-donor grafts are identically matched. Exclusion Criteria Patients will not be eligible for this study if they: Are recipients of identical (HLA matched) living-donor grafts. Are recipients of cadaver-donor grafts. Have certain abnormal kidney diseases that may return. Have failed 2 or more previous kidney transplants. Have fat abnormalities that are inherited or present at high levels.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Maximum Age: 21 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>Participants will receive immunosuppression therapy using antibody induction (daclizumab), corticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil, and sirolimus prior to transplantation. Bactrim and ganciclovir will be taken for infection prophylaxis. If the participant has consistent high levels of fasting cholesterol, treatment with lipitor may be given. | Drug: Daclizumab<br>* 1 mg/kg/dose at study entry and Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8<br>* Other names: Zenapax;Drug: Methylprednisolone/prednisone<br>* Dosage is dependent on weight and varies throughout study. Refer to protocol for more information.<br>* Other names: Cellcept;Drug: Mycophenolate mofetil<br>* Solution or oral tablet taken daily. Dosage depends on body surface area.<br>Drug: Sirolimus<br>* Oral tablet taken once prior to transplant. Dosage dependent on body surface area.<br>* Other names: Rapamune;Drug: Bactrim<br>* Oral tablet taken three times per week. Dosage is dependent on weight.<br>Drug: Ganciclovir<br>* Oral tablet taken daily. Dosage is dependent on weight.<br>Drug: Lipitor<br>* Oral tablet taken daily<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Efficacy of treatment without calcineurin inhibitors, compared to current standard immunosuppressive treatment |  | Throughout study | 
| Adverse effects of treatment without calcineurin inhibitors, compared to current standard immunosuppressive treatment, especially hypertension, serious infections and chronic nephrotoxicity |  | Throughout study | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Immune inhibition detected by sensitive and specific assays (including intragraft and peripheral monitoring) for expression patterns of activation and effector function markers |  | Throughout study |