Assessment of Biomarker-Guided CNI Substitution In Kidney Transplantation

Observational Study:

Enrolling 800 adult first time kidney transplant recipients. Consent and enrollment will be targeted to occur pre- or post-kidney transplant during the initial hospitalization. All subjects enrolled in the study will be followed observationally to evaluate HLA-DR/DQ molecular mismatched (mMM) as a risk-stratifying prognostic biomarker.

This prospective, multi-center, observational study of 800 kidney transplant recipients at clinically low risk for alloimmune memory (DSA negative pre-kidney transplant) who are initiated on standard of care (SOC) therapy will be used to satisfy the FDA requirement to prospectively evaluate the HLA mMM score as a prognostic biomarker for post-kidney transplant outcomes in a real-world cohort. Donor-recipient HLA-DR/DQ mMM score will be determined at enrollment and recipients will be followed over 24 months post- kidney transplant for primary alloimmune events (i.e., T cell Mediated Rejection (TCMR), DSA, and Antibody Mediated Rejection (ABMR) ).

Nested RCT (SOC versus conversion to abatacept):

We will follow subjects in the Observational Study for the initial 6 months to identify those who meet the stringent "immune-quiescent" randomization criteria: absence of biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR) on a for-cause or 6-month surveillance biopsy; and absence of DSA. In addition, these subjects must have absence of infection (e.g., BKV/CMV), and be on at least MMF ≥500 mg p.o. bid at the time of randomization. From this "immune-quiescent" group those individuals with a low or intermediate HLA-DR/DQ mMM score will be eligible for the Nested RCT.

300 eligible subjects will be randomized 2:1 to abatacept or SOC in the randomization phase (Abatacept arm: 200 vs. SOC arm: 100) to have adequate power for detecting differences between the treatment groups. Subjects enrolled into the trial's screening phase (0-6 months post-transplant) of the Observational Study will identify at least 360 kidney transplant recipients who exhibit immune quiescence and who meet the 6-months post-kidney transplant eligibility criteria for the Nested RCT. These individuals will be re-consented prior to randomization at 6-months post-kidney transplant.

Inclusion criteria

Observational Study:

• Subject must be able to understand and provide informed consent
• Received (within 14 days) or candidate for an ABO-compatible kidney transplant, including A2 to B
• Panel Reactive Antibody <=60% as determined by local site
• Virtual cross-match negative as determined by local site or Donor Specific Antibody (DSA) negative by central lab within 14 days post-transplant
• Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test upon study entry
• All subjects with reproductive potential must agree to use highly effective contraception for the duration of the study (http://www.fda.gov/birthcontrol)
• Hepatitis C Virus Ab positive subjects with negative Hepatitis C Virus polymerase chain reaction (HCV PCR) are eligible if they have spontaneously cleared infection or are in sustained virologic remission
• Vaccines up to date as per Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT) guidance for patients in transplant trials (Refer to Manual of Procedures).
• Triple Immunosuppression - Calcineurin Inhibitor/Mycophenolic Acid/Steroid (CNI/MPA/steroid)

• CNI (Tacrolimus (TAC), target trough [C0] level: 0-3 mo, 8-12 ng/mL; 4-6 mo, 6-10 ng/mL; >6 mo, 5-8 ng/mL])
• MPA [target dose: mycophenolate mofetil >=500 mg bid or mycophenolate sodium >=360 mg bid]); and
• Glucocorticoid, with a minimum dose equivalent to 5mg of prednisone per day

Nested Randomized Control Trial (RCT):

• Subject must be able to understand and provide informed consent
• A 6-month protocol biopsy free of Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection (BPAR)(by Central Pathology Core)
• Negative 6-month serum test for DSA (by Central HLA Core)
• eGFRCKD-EPI 30-90 ml/min/1.73m^2 at 6 months
• Has a verified negative purified protein derivative (PPD) or negative testing for tuberculosis using an approved IGRA blood test, such as QuantiFERON Gold TB or T-SPOT-TB assay OR has completed treatment for latent tuberculosis and has a negative chest x-ray. PPD or IGRA testing must occur within 52 weeks prior to randomization. These requirements apply as well to prior recipients of Bacille Calmette-Gurin (BCG) vaccination
• Minimum Mycophenolate mofetil (MPA) dose (MPA 500 mg po bid, or Mycophenolate sodium 360 mg po bid)
• Minimum Prednisone dose of 5mg per day
• Hepatitis C Virus Ab positive subjects with negative HCV PCR are eligible if they have spontaneously cleared infection or are in sustained virologic remission
• Hepatitis C Virus negative recipients of a Hepatitis C Virus positive organ are eligible if they have undergone treatment and are in sustained virologic remission
• Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test upon study entry
• All subjects with reproductive potential, must agree to use highly effective contraception the duration of the study-specific methods may be listed, if applicable

Exclusion criteria

Observational Study:

• Inability or unwillingness of a participant to give written informed consent or comply with study protocol including a mandated 6-mo kidney transplant biopsy
• Non-Kidney Transplant (KTx) (pre-existing or concurrent)
• Current use of immunomodulatory agents (including but not limited to: Rituximab, anti-Tumor necrosis factor(TNF) Monoclonal antibodies (mAb), or Belatacept, abatacept, Janus kinase inhibitors)
• Transplant in which the kidney donor is the recipient's Identical twin
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sero-negative KTx recipient
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Untreated Latent Tuberculosis (TB)
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Active Hepatitis B infection (HBsAg+ or anti-HBcore +)
• Enrollment in another investigational trial
• Current, diagnosed, mental illness or current, diagnosed or self-reported drug or alcohol abuse that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the participant's ability to comply with study requirements
• Recent recipient of any licensed or investigational live attenuated vaccine(s) within 4 weeks of enrollment
• Use of investigational drugs within 8 weeks of participation
• Past or current medical problems or findings from physical examination or laboratory testing that are not listed above, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may pose additional risks from participation in the study, may interfere with the participant's ability to comply with study requirements or that may impact the quality or interpretation of the data obtained from the study
• Use of Campath(R)

Nested Randomized Control Trial (RCT):

• Inability or unwillingness of a participant to give written informed consent or comply with study protocol
• Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection (BPAR) or treated clinically-diagnosed rejection in the 6 months following enrollment in the Observational Study
• Positive for a Donor Specific Antibody (DSA) 0-6 months post-kidney transplant
• Acute Banff interstitial (i) score >0 on a 6-month protocol biopsy as determined by core pathology read
• Presence of recurrent on de novo glomerulonephropathy 0-6 months post-kidney transplant
• Presence of active infection including BK virus (BKV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) or EBV viremia by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis
• Unable or unwilling to undergo protocol biopsies
• Not on Tacrolimus/Mycophenolic Acid (MPA)/Pred
• Unable to administer therapy s.c.
• Thrombocytopenia (<50,000/mm^3)
• Pregnant, or unwilling to practice highly effective birth control
• Use of immunomodulatory agents (including but not limited to Rituximab, anti-TNF mAb, or Belatacept, abatacept, Janus kinase inhibitors) * since enrollment, other than cytolytic agents (i.e., Thymoglobulin(R)or Campath(R) or Basiliximab(R) used for induction therapy at the time of transplant
• Use of investigational drugs since transplant
• Past or current medical problems or findings from physical examination or laboratory testing that are not listed above, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may pose additional risks from participation in the study, may interfere with the participant's ability to comply with study requirements or that may impact the quality or interpretation of the data obtained from the study