Multi-Organ Transplant Program

History of Clinical Trials

Over the years, our clinical researchers have assisted with numerous drug studies by documenting and analyzing data about organ rejection and medication side effects. As one example, our studies and others have shown that the anti-rejection drug Neoral® (a microemulsified form of Sandimmune® cyclosporine) is absorbed more easily by patients. Based on this research, Neoral® is now available across Canada and internationally.

Several ongoing and new studies are evaluating rejection in kidney transplant recipients. We participated in a phase 3 trial that assessed sirolimus (Rapamune®). Based on these results, sirolimus is now being used with some of our kidney recipients. A 6-month study is comparing the combination of low-dose tacrolimus, sirolimus and prednisone versus the standard dosage of tacrolimus, sirolimus and prednisone. For the past two years, a randomized trial has been comparing tacrolimus with cyclosporine for kidney transplant patients who are at risk of chronic rejection. Results should be available next year. Another new drug, Certican®, is also being investigated for its potential to prevent kidney transplant rejection.

Tacrolimus or FK506 (Prograf®), currently used with some of our liver recipients, is being studied for kidney transplantation. Because previous studies showed that CellCept® (mycophenolate mofetil) helped prevent rejection in both kidney and heart recipients, we participated in research that addressed its use with liver transplant patients. It has now been approved for use in Canada.

Based on previous clinical research, some of our liver transplant patients now receive lamivudine before transplantation to prevent the recurrence of hepatitis B after their transplant. Our centre recently completed a trial that assessed the benefit of administering interferons post-transplant to prevent or delay the recurrence of hepatitis C. Currently, a phase 3 study is using Zenepax® (daclizumab) with lower-dose calcineurin inhibitors to decrease the risk of nephrotoxic changes in liver recipients.