Prevention of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Using Rituximab (Rituxan) Therapy in Cardiac Transplantation
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01278745 |
Recruitment Status :
Terminated
(Due to inability to meet accrual goals within the funding period)
First Posted : January 19, 2011
Results First Posted : April 11, 2017
Last Update Posted : August 25, 2020
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Study Results
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Heart Transplant Recipients | Biological: Rituximab induction/conventional immunosuppression (tacrolimus, MMF, and steroid taper) Drug: Rituximab placebo/conventional immunosuppression (tacrolimus, MMF, and steroid taper) | Phase 2 |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 362 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Prevention |
Official Title: | Prevention of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Using Rituximab (Rituxan) Therapy in Cardiac Transplantation (CTOT-11) |
Study Start Date : | September 2011 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | October 2015 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | October 2015 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Rituximab
Rituximab induction/conventional immunosuppression
|
Biological: Rituximab induction/conventional immunosuppression (tacrolimus, MMF, and steroid taper) |
Placebo Comparator: Rituximab Placebo
Rituximab Placebo / conventional immunosuppression
|
Drug: Rituximab placebo/conventional immunosuppression (tacrolimus, MMF, and steroid taper) |
- Change in Percent Atheroma Volume (PAV) [ Time Frame: Baseline, 1 year ]Nominal or noticeable change, bad or good, from baseline to 1 year in percent atheroma volume (PAV) which is a measure of the degree of coronary arterial obstruction due to host alloimmune processes measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in a target coronary artery. Thus a decrease in PAV would be an indicator of less obstruction and a better outcome.
- Death [ Time Frame: 12 months ]Participants who died within 12 months post-transplant
- Re-transplantation or Re-listed for Transplantation [ Time Frame: 6 to 12 months ]Re-transplantation is defined as the receipt of a subsequent heart transplant and re-listed for transplantation is being listed back on the heart transplant list to be re-transplanted.
- Number of Episodes of Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection (BPAR) of Any Grade Per Participant [ Time Frame: 6 to 12 months ]The number of times a participant experienced biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR). Biopsy proven acute rejection is when an examination of tissue removed from the transplanted organ indicates that the subject's immune system is trying to reject the graft. BPAR was defined as a biopsy that met the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) criteria to be graded as 1R or greater rejection and was determined by a single, central pathology laboratory.
- Incidence of BPAR (Any Grade) [ Time Frame: 6 to 12 months ]The number of subjects who experienced any grade of biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR) within the clinical trial. Biopsy proven acute rejection is when an examination of tissue removed from the transplanted organ indicates that the subject's immune system is trying to reject the graft. BPAR was defined as a biopsy which met The International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) criteria to be graded as 1R or greater rejection and was determined by a single, central pathology laboratory.
- Incidence of AMR [ Time Frame: 6 to 12 months ]The number of participants who experienced antibody- mediated rejection (AMR). Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) occurs when the subject develops antibodies directed against the transplanted heart. This was assessed based on local pathology biopsy reads.
- Incidence of Cellular Rejection [ Time Frame: 6 to 12 months ]Cellular Rejection refers to the organ recipient's immune system recognizing a transplanted organ as foreign and mounting a response to it via cellular mechanisms. Cellular rejection was defined as a biopsy which met The International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) criteria to be graded as 1R or greater rejection and was determined by a single, central pathology laboratory
- Incidence of Any Treated Rejection [ Time Frame: 6 to 12 months ]The number of participants who were treated by their local physician for any type of rejection including, but not limited to cellular rejection and antibody- mediated rejection (AMR) of the transplanted heart regardless of the presence of a biopsy.
- Number of Participants With Episodes of Rejection Associated With Hemodynamic Compromise (HDC) [ Time Frame: 6 to 12 months ]The number of participants that experienced at least one episode of rejection associated with hemodynamic compromise (HDC). Rejection associated with HDC is when there is insufficient blood flow to the transplanted heart in association with acute rejection found in a biopsy. Local biopsies were used for this outcome measure.
- Number of Participants With Development of Angiographically Evident Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy [ Time Frame: 1 year ]Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is an aggressive form of atherosclerosis that is characterized by the development of fibrosis affecting cardiac arteries that result in concentric narrowing of the arteries and, ultimately allograft failure. Development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy can be diagnosed via an angiograph which is an X-ray of the cardiac arteries by injecting a radiopaque substance such as iodine.
- Number of Participants With Post-transplant Serious Infections Requiring Intravenous Antimicrobial Therapy [ Time Frame: Transplantation through end of study, up to 1 year post transplantation. ]Number of participants experiencing at least one serious infection requiring intravenous antimicrobial therapy which is used to kill the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans.
- Number of Participants With Post-transplant Incidence of PTLD [ Time Frame: Transplantation through end of study, up to 1 year post transplantation. ]The number of participants experiencing at least one post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) occurrence during this trial. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is an uncontrolled proliferation of B cell lymphocytes latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus.
- Post-transplant Safety Outcomes Among Participants: Safety and Tolerability of Rituximab [ Time Frame: Transplantation through end of study, up to 1 year post transplantation ]Defined as participants that experienced at least one adverse event that was possibly, probably, or definitely related to the study drug (i.e., Rituximab or Placebo). Serious adverse events were used to evaluate this endpoint and the attribution was based on the DAIT Medical Monitor's assessment.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 75 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria for Initial Enrollment:
- Subject must be able to understand and provide informed consent;
- Male or Female, 18 to 75 years of age;
- Candidate for a primary heart transplant (e.g., listed for heart transplant only);
- Historical panel reactive antibodies (PRA) less than 30%;
- Calculated GFR ≥ 40 mL/minute using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation (CKD-EPI);
- Female and male subjects with reproductive potential, must agree to use FDA approved methods of birth control for the duration of the study
Inclusion Criteria for Randomization / Post-transplant:
--Negative PRA within 12 weeks prior to transplant (Local HLA Center Testing) using one of the following:
- One Lambda's LABScreen® Mixed Class I & II (presence or absence), or
- Less than 10% by One Lambda's LABScreen® PRA Class I and II with an MFI of <2000, or
- Calculated panel reactive antibodies (cPRA) less than 10% by LABScreen® Single Antigen testing (Anti-HLA-A, -B, -DR, -DQ). The antigens reported will include those with an MFI >2000.
The Luminex Gen-Probe beads are equivalent to the One Lambda and may be used as an alternative;
- Calculated GFR ≥ 40mL/minute using the CKD-EPI at time of randomization;
- Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) level greater than 500mg/dL within 90 days prior to randomization;
- Negative test for HIV, HBsAg, HBcAb, and HCV Ab within 12 months prior to transplant. If documentation is not present to support that the testing was performed in the past 12 months, then a blood sample will be collected prior to transplant and sent for local testing. Results may be available after randomization. If positive result, the oversight committee will review the case and provide further recommendations.
- Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test.
Exclusion Criteria for Enrollment:
- Prior history of organ transplantation;
- Previous treatment with Rituximab (MabThera® / Rituxan ®);
- Transplant physician intention to use any induction agents;
- History of severe allergic anaphylactic reactions to humanized or murine monoclonal antibodies;
- History of severe reaction to previous therapy with IVIG;
- Active systemic infection at time of enrollment;
- Any history of serologic positivity to HIV, HBsAg, HBcAb, and HCV Ab;
- History of less than 5 years remission of malignancy. Any history of adequately treated in-situ cervical carcinoma, or adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin will be permitted;
- Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the subject's ability to comply with study requirements;
- Use of other investigational drugs within 4 weeks of enrollment;
- Currently breast-feeding or plans to become pregnant during the timeframe of the study follow-up period.
Exclusion Criteria for Randomization/Post-transplant:
- Recipient of multiple solid organ or tissue transplants;
- Previous treatment with Rituximab (MabThera® / Rituxan ®);
- Use of any induction agents;
- History of severe allergic anaphylactic reactions to humanized or murine monoclonal antibodies;
- History of severe reaction to previous therapy with IVIG; Lack of IV venous access;
- Active systemic infection at time of randomization;
- Any history of serologic positivity to HIV, HBsAg, HBcAb and HCV Ab;
- Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the subject's ability to comply with study requirements;
- Use of other investigational drugs within 4 weeks prior to randomization;
- Receipt of a live vaccine within 30 days prior to randomization;
- Currently breast-feeding or plans to become pregnant during the timeframe of the study follow-up period.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01278745

Study Chair: | Randall Starling, MD | The Cleveland Clinic | |
Principal Investigator: | Mohamed Sayegh, MD | Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard | |
Study Chair: | Anil Chandraker, MD | Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard |
Publications of Results:
Responsible Party: | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01278745 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
DAIT CTOT-11 |
First Posted: | January 19, 2011 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | April 11, 2017 |
Last Update Posted: | August 25, 2020 |
Last Verified: | August 2020 |
cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) prevention cardiac transplantation rituximab |
Vascular Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Rituximab Tacrolimus Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological Antineoplastic Agents Immunologic Factors |
Physiological Effects of Drugs Antirheumatic Agents Immunosuppressive Agents Calcineurin Inhibitors Enzyme Inhibitors Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action |