A Randomized Controlled Open-label Multi-center Study to Assess the Efficacy of TCZ in Treatment of Late/Chronic Active Antibody-mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplant Recipients
This multi-center study is an investigator-driven randomized controlled parallel group open-label clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of addition of anti-IL-6 antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) to the standard of care (SOC) treatment as compared to the SOC alone in reducing the decline of graft function in kidney transplant recipients with late or chronic antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). A total of 50 recipients will be allocated to receive either TCZ (n=25) added to the standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone (n=25) for a period of 24 months. Patients will be followed for an additional 12 months. Protocol kidney graft biopsies will be performed at 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome is the mean rate of change in graft function as assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope from baseline to 24 months after start of treatment.
• The subject has given their written informed consent to participate in the study
• Recipient of living donor or deceased donor kidney transplant
• Age ≥18 years
• At least 6 months post-transplantation at randomization
• Biopsy-proven diagnosis of late active or chronic active ABMR (≥ 6 months after transplantation) according to the Banff 2022 criteria in index biopsy
• eGFR ≥20 ml/min/1.73 m2
• Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) IgG-positive
• For female participants of childbearing potential:
‣ use of adequate contraception and a negative pregnancy test
• Subject known to have COVID-19 previously must meet all of the following conditions:
‣ Asymptomatic for at least 1 month before the start of screening
⁃ Re-established on background immunosuppressants for at least 1 month prior to the randomization