Tacrolimus Associated Tremors in Liver Transplantation: Immediate-Release Versus Extended-Release Formulations

Purpose: This study is designed to evaluate the incidence and severity of tremors with two different tacrolimus formulations (LCPT versus IR-TAC) when administered in combination with mycophenolate and short term corticosteroids in de novo liver transplant (LT) recipients.

Hypothesis: In de novo liver transplant recipients, an LCPT-based immunosuppression regimen, in combination with mycophenolate and short term steroids offers improved neurotoxicity profile as evidenced by lower incidence and severity of tremors and treatment discontinuation when compared to an identical regimen using twice-daily immediate-release tacrolimus.

Rationale: Tacrolimus is the first line immunosuppressive agent in all organ transplantation and its use is associated with improved patient and graft outcomes. Neurotoxicity including headaches and tremors are amongst common dose limiting toxicities associated with tacrolimus early after liver transplantation. Mitigation strategies include dosage reduction or switch to CSA, both of which can put patient at risk of rejection and other toxicities. LCPT is a new extended release formulation with improved PK parameters and evidence of improved tolerability (lower risk of tremors) in renal transplant population. In this study, we will compare the incidence and severity of tremors associated with IR-TAC, which is currently standard of care at our institution, with LCPT, which is a new dosage form added to the hospital formulary. We will be using wearable sensors to assess the severity of tremors. Furthermore, the objective and systematic documentation of tremor severity during the first 8 weeks after transplantation will provide granular data that will elucidate the natural history of tacrolimus induced tremors early post liver transplantation.

Research design: This is a single centre, prospective, randomized, open label, parallel group trial in adult de novo liver transplant recipients. Patients will be randomized (1:1) to either LCPT or IR-TAC, both groups will receive mycophenolate and short term steroids according to the standard of care protocol. This is a superiority study.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years or older
• Recipients of a first-time liver transplant
• eGFR more than 30 ml/min on the day of tacrolimus initiation
• All patients who are eligible to initiate Tacrolimus within 7 days post-liver transplant
• Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Recipients of prior organ transplant
• Need for hemodialysis either prior or following liver transplantation
• Recipients of living donor liver or split deceased donor liver allografts
• Recipients of combined liver/kidney transplants
• Recipients receiving liver allografts from donors with HCV viremia (detected through nucleic acid testing or other means)
• Patients with a history of tremor prior to transplantation including essential tremors, Parkinson's or Parkinsonian syndromes
• Patients receiving concomitant medications known to induce tremors such as dopamine blocking agents
• Baseline TSH, T3, T4 indicating hyperthyroidism