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Safety & Tolerability of Berinert® (C1 Inhibitor) Therapy to Prevent Rejection

A Phase I/II Trial to Evaluate the Safety & Tolerability of Berinert® (C1 Inhibitor) Therapy to Prevent Complement-Dependent, Antibody-Mediated Rejection Post-Transplant in Highly-HLA Sensitized Patients

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01134510
Enrollment
20
Registered
2010-06-02
Start date
2011-08-31
Completion date
2013-11-30
Last updated
2017-03-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Kidney Transplantation

Keywords

Kidney transplantation

Brief summary

Organ transplantation offers the only hope for a normal life for patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis (ESRD). For the highly-sensitized patient, patients with antibodies to human leukocyte antigens (HLA), transplantation is extremely difficult or impossible since pre-formed antibodies will cause severe rejection and loss of transplanted organs. Approximately 30% of the transplant list in the U.S. is considered sensitized (have detectable antibodies to HLA antigens). These anti-HLA (anti-Human Leukocyte Antigen antibodies) pose a significant barrier to transplantation that has recently been successfully addressed using desensitization therapies with IVIG, rituximab and/or plasmapheresis (PE). Despite the success of these therapies, post-transplant antibody mediated rejection (AMR) and chronic Antibody Mediated Rejection (CAMR) remain significant problems. Recent data suggests that addition of Berinert (C1 Inhibitor) to post-transplant treatment regimen may significantly reduce incidence of Antibody Mediation Rejection. Twenty highly-sensitized patients who have undergone desensitization treatment and are awaiting kidney transplant will be enrolled in the study. Once transplanted these patients will be started on the standard of care post-transplant immunosuppressive protocol. In addition patients will receive Berinert 20 units/ kg daily x 3 days, then twice weekly x 3 weeks. At the end of Berinert treatment a kidney biopsy will be performed. Subjects will be followed for 6 months to assess safety and efficacy of the study protocol.

Detailed description

Single center, Phase I/II, randomized The trial will examine the safety and efficacy of human C1 INH given post-transplant to reduce or prevent complement-dependent, antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in 20 subjects (adult) who are highly-HLA sensitized (HS),(Panel Reactive Antibodies \>30% (PRA), have undergone desensitization with intravenous immunoglobin (IVIG) + rituximab and/or plasmapheresis and are awaiting Living donor (LD)/ Deceased Donor (DD) kidney transplant. Once transplant offers are entertained, a donor-specific crossmatch will be performed to detect anti-HLA antibodies and donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) which are associated with acute rejection or graft loss. (These anti-HLA (anti-Human Leukocyte Antigen antibodies) antibodies may result naturally or from previous pregnancy, transfusions, or prior transplants.) If acceptable crossmatches and Donor Specific Antibody levels are seen after desensitization, the patients will proceed to Living Donor/Deceased Donor transplantation. Patients receiving transplants will have pre-transplant labs obtained for C1 INH levels, Complement 3 (C3) and Complement 4 (C4) at transplant. In addition to the standard post-transplant immunosuppressive protocol, participating patients will receive placebo or 20 Units/kg C1 INH twice weekly X 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, a protocol biopsy will be performed to assess the allograft for evidence of Antibody Mediated Rejection, including C4d staining. Since \ 25% of highly sensitized patients experience Antibody Mediated Rejection post-transplant and 85% of these Antibody Mediated Rejection episodes occur in the 1st post-transplant month, we feel the assessment of the potential impact of C1 INH therapy is best assessed in this time period. After completion of the C1 INH therapy, patients will be followed for an additional 6 month to assess allograft function and Antibody Mediated Rejection episodes as well as Donor Specific Antibodies. The subjects will be followed to determine the proportion who develop evidence of Antibody Mediated Rejection within 6 month of completion of the study. In addition we will asses the transplanted patients to determine the number who sustain a viable and functioning kidney allograft for 6 months. All subjects will be evaluated on an intent-to-treat basis. The subject accrual rate will be limited to no more than five subjects per month in the initial three months to assure safety to all subjects. Repeat laboratories will be performed at the completion of C1 INH therapy to determine effect on levels and correlation with any potential events.

Interventions

C1 Esterase Inhibitor 20 units/kg twice weekly x 4 weeks

DRUGPlacebos

NS (comparable volume as intervention) twice weekly x 4wks

Sponsors

CSL Behring
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Stanley Jordan, MD
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* End-stage renal disease. * No known contraindications for therapy with Immune Globuillin Intravenous 10%/Rituximab or C1 INH. * Age 18-65 years at the time of screening. * Panel Reactive Antibody \[PRA\] \> 50% demonstrated on 3 consecutive samples, Patient highly-HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) sensitized and a candidate for Living Donor/Deceased Donor transplantation after desensitization at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. * At transplant, patient must have Donor Specific Antibody /Cross match + non-HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) identical donor. Subject/Parent/Guardian must be able to understand and provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* Lactating or pregnant females. * Women of child-bearing age who are not willing or able to practice Food and Drug Administration \[FDA\]-approved forms of contraception. * HIV-positive subjects. * Subjects who test positive for Hepatitis B Virus infection \[positive Hepatitis B Virus surface Antigen, Hepatitis B Virus core Antigen, or Hepatitis B Virus e Antigen/DNA\] or Hepatitis C Virus infection \[positive Anti-Hepatitis C Virus (EIA) and confirmatory Hepatitis C Virus Recombinant ImmunoBlot Assay (RIBA)\]. * Subjects with active Tuberculosis. * Subjects with selective Immunoglobulin A deficiency, those who have known anti-Immunoglobulin A antibodies, and those with a history of anaphylaxis or severe systemic responses to any part of the clinical trial material. * Subjects who have received or for whom multiple organ transplants are planned. * Recent recipients of any licensed or investigational live attenuated vaccine(s) within two months of the screening visit (including but not limited to any of the following: * Adenovirus \[Adenovirus vaccine live oral type 7\] Varicella \[Varivax\] Hepatitis A \[VAQTA\] Rotavirus \[Rotashield\] Yellow fever \[Y-F-Vax\] Measles and mumps \[Measles and mumps virus vaccine live\] Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine \[M-M-R-II\] Sabin oral polio vaccine Rabies vaccines \[IMOVAX Rabies I.D., RabAvert\]) * A significantly abnormal general serum screening lab result defined as a White Blood Cell \< .0 X 103/ml, a Hemoglobin \< 8.0 g/dL, a platelet count \< 100 X 103/ml, , an Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase \[SGOT\] \> 5X upper limit of normal, and an Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase \[SGPT\] \>5X upper limit of normal range. * Individuals deemed unable to comply with the protocol. * Subjects with active Cytomegalovirus or Epstein Barr Virus infection as defined by Cytomegalovirus-specific serology (Immunoglobulin G or Immunoglobulin M) and confirmed by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction with or without a compatible illness. * Subjects with a known history of previous myocardial infarction within one year of screening. * Subjects with a history of clinically significant thrombotic episodes, and subjects with active peripheral vascular disease. * Use of investigational agents within 4 weeks of participation. * Know allergy/sensitivity to C1 INH infusions

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Post-transplant Biopsy to Identify Rejection Episodes6 monthSubjects will have a routine kidney biopsy 6 month after transplant to screen for episodes of acute rejection. For purposes of this investigation, antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is defined as follows: * Deterioration of allograft function in a high-risk transplant recipient (i.e. sensitized patient with history of Donor Specific Antibodies) measured by serum Creatinine and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate * Association with the presence of Donor Specific Antibody (usually increasing in strength) measured by luminex techniques. * Biopsy evidence of capillaritis, inflammation and C4d deposition.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Serum Creatinine6 monthsSerum creatinine will be checked 6 months post transplant to monitor allograft function.
Donor Specific Antibodies [DSA] Class I6 monthsDonor Specific Antibodies \[DSAs\] Class I will be checked 1, 3, and 6 months post transplant to monitor allograft function. DSA will be measured using a relative intensity score (RIS) ranges from 0 points = No DSA; 2 points = \<5000MFI (weak intensity); 5 points = 5000-10,000 MFI (moderate intensty); 10 points = \>10,000MFI (strong intensity). Each DSA can have a score of 10 maximum. However, patients may have more than one DSA and points can add up to more than 10. this depends on how many DSAs \[Class I and/or Class II\] are present at the time of transplant and quarterly after transplant. Patients can have an infinite number of donor specific antibodies, this score can be higher than 10.
Donor Specific Antibodies [DSA] Class II6 monthsDonor Specific Antibodies \[DSAs\] Class I will be checked 1, 3, and 6 months post transplant to monitor allograft function. DSA will be measured using a relative intensity score (RIS) ranges from 0 points = No DSA; 2 points = \<5000MFI (weak intensity); 5 points = 5000-10,000 MFI (moderate intensty); 10 points = \>10,000MFI (strong intensity). Each DSA can have a score of 10 maximum. However, patients may have more than one DSA and points can add up to more than 10. this depends on how many DSAs \[Class I and/or Class II\] are present at the time of transplant and quarterly after transplant. However, patients may have more than one DSA and points can add up to more than 10 this depends on how many DSAs \[Class I and/or Class II\] are present at the time of transplant and quarterly after transplant. Patients can have an infinite number of donor specific antibodies, this score can be higher than 10.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
C1 Esterase Inhibitor
Potential subjects will be identified after a review of medical records of patients under the care of one or more of the study investigators. Potential subjects will be identified and approached during an inpatient or outpatient clinical visit by a member of the research team. The Principal investigator (PI) I will explain what it means to be highly-sensitized and the risks associated with it. The PI will describe the study and explain the risks and benefits of participation. After the discussion, a copy of the consent form will be emailed or faxed to the patient for review & consideration of study participation. The patient can contact the study team to ask questions and sign the Informed Consent Form (ICF), if interested. C1 INH is dosed at 20 units per kg body weight and is administered by slow IV injection at a rate of approximately 4 mL per minute. Study patients will receive 20U/kg C1 INH vs placebo (0.9% NS) on days 0 and day 2, then twice weekly X 3 weeks.
10
Placebo
Potential subjects will be identified after a review of medical records of patients under the care of one or more of the study investigators. Potential subjects will be identified and approached during an inpatient or outpatient clinical visit by a member of the research team. The Principal investigator (PI) I will explain what it means to be highly-sensitized and the risks associated with it. Then PI will describe the standard of care of Transplant Immunology Program (TIP) patients. After that PI will describe the study and explain the risks and benefits of participation. After the discussion, a copy of the consent form will be either emailed or faxed to the patient for review and consideration of study participation. The patient can contact the study team where they will have the opportunity to ask questions and then sign the Informed Consent Form (ICF), if interested.
10
Total20

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPlaceboC1 Esterase InhibitorTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
10 Participants10 Participants20 Participants
Age, Continuous47 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16
46 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14
47 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.5
Region of Enrollment
United States
10 participants10 participants20 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants8 Participants11 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
7 Participants2 Participants9 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 100 / 10
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 101 / 10

Outcome results

Primary

Post-transplant Biopsy to Identify Rejection Episodes

Subjects will have a routine kidney biopsy 6 month after transplant to screen for episodes of acute rejection. For purposes of this investigation, antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is defined as follows: * Deterioration of allograft function in a high-risk transplant recipient (i.e. sensitized patient with history of Donor Specific Antibodies) measured by serum Creatinine and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate * Association with the presence of Donor Specific Antibody (usually increasing in strength) measured by luminex techniques. * Biopsy evidence of capillaritis, inflammation and C4d deposition.

Time frame: 6 month

Population: 9 patients in each arm completed 6 month protocol biopsy. 1 patient in the placebo arm was withdrawn before 6M biopsy. 1 patient in treatment arm refused protocol biopsy.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
C1 Esterase InhibitorPost-transplant Biopsy to Identify Rejection Episodes2 Episode of rejection
Normal SalinePost-transplant Biopsy to Identify Rejection Episodes3 Episode of rejection
Secondary

Donor Specific Antibodies [DSA] Class I

Donor Specific Antibodies \[DSAs\] Class I will be checked 1, 3, and 6 months post transplant to monitor allograft function. DSA will be measured using a relative intensity score (RIS) ranges from 0 points = No DSA; 2 points = \<5000MFI (weak intensity); 5 points = 5000-10,000 MFI (moderate intensty); 10 points = \>10,000MFI (strong intensity). Each DSA can have a score of 10 maximum. However, patients may have more than one DSA and points can add up to more than 10. this depends on how many DSAs \[Class I and/or Class II\] are present at the time of transplant and quarterly after transplant. Patients can have an infinite number of donor specific antibodies, this score can be higher than 10.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Mean Donor Specific Antibody Class I levels at 1, 3, and 6 month post-transplant from 10 patients in the C1 Esterase Inhibitor group and 10 patients in the placebo group were calculated.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
C1 Esterase InhibitorDonor Specific Antibodies [DSA] Class I10 DSA relative intensity scoreStandard Deviation 9.3
Normal SalineDonor Specific Antibodies [DSA] Class I7.1 DSA relative intensity scoreStandard Deviation 4.8
Secondary

Donor Specific Antibodies [DSA] Class II

Donor Specific Antibodies \[DSAs\] Class I will be checked 1, 3, and 6 months post transplant to monitor allograft function. DSA will be measured using a relative intensity score (RIS) ranges from 0 points = No DSA; 2 points = \<5000MFI (weak intensity); 5 points = 5000-10,000 MFI (moderate intensty); 10 points = \>10,000MFI (strong intensity). Each DSA can have a score of 10 maximum. However, patients may have more than one DSA and points can add up to more than 10. this depends on how many DSAs \[Class I and/or Class II\] are present at the time of transplant and quarterly after transplant. However, patients may have more than one DSA and points can add up to more than 10 this depends on how many DSAs \[Class I and/or Class II\] are present at the time of transplant and quarterly after transplant. Patients can have an infinite number of donor specific antibodies, this score can be higher than 10.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Mean Donor Specific Antibody (DSA) Class II levels at 1, 3, and 6 month post-transplant from 10 patients in the C1 Esterase Inhibitor group and 10 patients in the placebo group were calculated.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
C1 Esterase InhibitorDonor Specific Antibodies [DSA] Class II5.4 DSA relative intensity scoreStandard Deviation 3.2
Normal SalineDonor Specific Antibodies [DSA] Class II9.0 DSA relative intensity scoreStandard Deviation 8
Secondary

Serum Creatinine

Serum creatinine will be checked 6 months post transplant to monitor allograft function.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Mean serum creatinine levels at 6 month post-transplant from 10 patients in the C1 Esterase Inhibitor group and 10 patients in the placebo group were calculated.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
C1 Esterase InhibitorSerum Creatinine1.07 mg/dl (serum cr at 6m post transplant)Standard Deviation 0.39
Normal SalineSerum Creatinine1.08 mg/dl (serum cr at 6m post transplant)Standard Deviation 0.28

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 7, 2026