Belatacept Injection for Kidney Transplant

This trial aims to determine if using belatacept (an injection) with a proteasome inhibitor can help more people find suitable kidney donors. It targets individuals who are highly HLA sensitized, meaning their bodies are likely to reject a kidney, making it difficult to find a match. Participants should currently be waiting for a kidney transplant at the University of Chicago and have been living with this challenge. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people, offering participants the opportunity to be among the first to receive this innovative approach.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are taking investigational drugs, you must stop them at least 14 days before starting the study treatment.

Research has shown that belatacept has been tested for safety in kidney transplant patients. In one study, patients who switched to belatacept had better kidney function after one year compared to those on other treatments. Another study found that after five years, 76% of patients on belatacept were still doing well. However, a virus infection can pose a risk of kidney problems, possibly requiring a change in treatment.

Unlike the standard immunosuppressive therapies used for kidney transplants, like tacrolimus or cyclosporine, belatacept offers a novel approach by selectively blocking the co-stimulation of T-cells, which are crucial in the immune response that can lead to organ rejection. This targeted action may reduce the risk of chronic kidney damage and other side effects associated with long-term use of traditional immunosuppressants. Researchers are excited about belatacept because it has the potential to improve transplant outcomes by specifically decreasing the calculated Panel of Reactive Antibodies (cPRA), which could expand the pool of suitable donor kidneys for highly sensitized patients.

Research has shown that belatacept can improve outcomes for kidney transplant patients. Studies have found that belatacept significantly reduces the risk of death and loss of the transplanted kidney. For instance, one study discovered that after 7 years, a more intensive belatacept treatment reduced the risk of death by 38%. Additionally, patients using belatacept often experience better kidney function over time. In this trial, participants will receive belatacept and a proteasome inhibitor, which may help highly sensitized patients by increasing the chances of finding a suitable donor match based on a negative crossmatch.³⁴⁵⁶⁷