A Phase 4 interventional study of Myfortic in Liver Transplantation, sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. Withdrawn at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2013-12-09.
Sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this study is to replace the mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) which is our usual therapy after liver transplantation with sodium mycophenolic acid (Myfortic®) and to find out the effect this change may have on the development of side effects such as relief of gastrointestinal (stomach) problems. In the past we have had to stop Cellcept (our current drug) because of these side effects. We will also try to see if improved usage of this drug (Myfortic®) will allow us to use lower doses of other medications that lower your immune system. We will do some special tests on your blood to see if the amount of the drug is related with its effect on the immune system and side effects. Both Cellcept and Myfortic® are FDA approved medications although Myfortic® is not approved for use after liver transplantation. Myfortic® is really the same active drug as Cellcept® (Mycophenolic acid) but has been coated to prevent breakdown of the drug in the stomach and is made to lower the known gastrointestinal effects of Cellcept such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea.
Mycophenolic Acid (MPA) has been shown to be an effective immune suppressant in organ transplantation. Its gastrointestinal side effects, however, have limited its use in liver transplantation (OLT). A new form of MPA that is enteric coated (Myfortic) has been developed to address the issue of GI side effects. While considerable experience has been gained with this new formulation in kidney transplants (ref) the information regarding the use of Myfortic in OLT recipients is limited. The purpose of the study is to assess the safety and efficacy of Myfortic in OLT recipients. The study will include a close follow-up of the patients with regard to side effects and potential adverse effects of the drug. It will also monitor the rate of compliance with this medication among the patients in the study. The efficacy of the drug will be determined by the rate of rejection but also and more importantly by our ability to withdraw corticosteroids and minimize calcineurin inhibitors (CNI).
Several tests will be conducted as part of the study. Some of those are "Standard of Care" tests such as liver function tests and complete blood cell count (CBC). Some tests however, will be performed specifically for this study. These include a patient questionnaire to be filled at various time points and blood tests designed to assess the integrity of the immune system.
The benefit to the patients is three-fold:
The patients will receive the medication free of charge for the duration of the study.
The proven efficacy of MPA as an immune suppressant may allow us to reduce or eliminate the use of corticosteroids and/or CNI whose long and short-term side effects are major causes of morbidity in OLT recipients.
Avoidance of the GI side effects of non-enteric coated MPA, which is our standard drug in OLT.
The risks for the patient include the potential deleterious side effects of MPA, namely bone marrow depression, GI side-effects (nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain), and infections.
The general benefits from the study may be the addition of a better formulation of MPA to the list of drugs used for immunosuppression in OLT. Additionally, routine use of this drug may minimize the long-term adverse effects of CNI and corticosteroids thus improving long-term patient survival and well-being.
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston is the lead sponsor of 880 studies on the registry; 209 are open to participants now.
Of its 170 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 140 (82%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
720 mg by mouth every 12 hours
Rate of rejection
Time frame: 6 months
Rate of gastrointestinal side-effects
Time frame: 6 months
Levels of calcineurin inhibitors
Time frame: 6 months
Renal function
Time frame: 6 months
Relationship of dose to biologic monitoring of immunosuppression
Time frame: 6 months
This study is withdrawn, as verified in Dec 2013. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston