Clinical Research Directory

Deep Phenotyping of the Renal Allograft to Prognosticate Clinical Outcomes

The goal of this observational study is to determine phenotypic, transcriptional, and epigenetic underpinnings of renal allograft rejection in renal transplant rejection. The main questions it aims to answer are: * To determine the phenotype, frequency, location, and the inter-cellular interactions between the cells that constitute intra-graft inflammatory infiltrate in acute ejection. * To determine the phenotype, frequency, location, and the inter-cellular interactions between the cells that constitute intra-graft inflammatory infiltrate in recurrent/recalcitrant rejection vs. rejection that resolves with therapy. * To generate a scRNA sequencing (scRNAseq) map of the intra-graft immune cells and the renal parenchymal cells and compare the transcriptional and epigenetic changes within these cells in recurrent/recalcitrant rejection vs. rejection that resolves with therapy. * To determine phenotypic changes associated with chronic rejection. Participants will be asked to provide the following research specimens: * Renal biopsy specimens at the following timepoints: day of transplantation (pre-implantation and post-perfusion); routine protocol biopsies at 3 months and 12 months; and clinically indicated for-cause biopsies at any timepoint from time-0 to 1-yr post-transplantation. The 1st research core will be used for routine histopathological examination and left over tissue from this core will be used for deep phenotyping using multiparameter immunophenotyping, and digital spatial profiling. The second research core will be used for extraction of cells and nuclei for scRNAseq and snATACseq. * Blood samples will be processed to obtain plasma (for cytokine, chemokine and DSA measurements) and PBMC (for deep phenotyping and molecular analyses). For each collection timepoint, up to 75 mL (about 5 tablespoons) will be collected. * Prospective clinical data and outcomes will be collected from participant medical records. * Follow-Up Period: For-cause biopsies from 1-yr to 5-yr post-transplantation (by the transplant nephrologist): no additional cores will be obtained for research from these biopsies. The left-over tissue from the clinically indicated biopsy cores will be analyzed by deep phenotyping and digital spatial profiling. Blood samples will be processed to obtain plasma (for cytokine, chemokine and DSA measurements) and PBMC (for deep phenotyping and molecular analyses).

VIRTUUS Children's Study

The objective of the VIRTUUS Children's Study is to adapt identified and validated adult noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for the characterization of allograft status in pediatric recipients of kidney allografts.

Study of Combined Kidney and Blood Stem Cell Transplant From a Brother or Sister Donor

The purpose of this study is to find out if an investigational treatment will allow kidney transplant recipients to better accept their new kidney and stop immunosuppressive medicines. This study is for kidney transplant recipients who receive a kidney from a sibling donor. The investigational treatment is started after kidney transplant. It begins with a regimen of a drug called rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) combined with radiation therapy (known as total lymphoid irradiation, or TLI) to the lymph nodes and spleen. This is followed by an infusion of blood stem cells, which will be donated by the same sibling who donated their kidney. Researchers think that this treatment allows immune cells from the donor and recipient to live side by side, a condition referred to as "mixed chimerism." Mixed chimerism may help create a state of "tolerance" in kidney transplant recipients in which all immunosuppressive medications can be stopped without rejection of the transplanted kidney. This study will test whether (1) the investigational treatment will allow patients to stop immunosuppressive medications after their kidney transplant and (2) if the treatment impacts the rate of kidney rejection and the side effects of immunosuppressive medications.

Multi-Parametric MRI for Renal Transplantation

The goals of this study are: * To optimize and evaluate multiple kidney MRI methods; and * To investigate the potential of MRI in the assessment of transplant kidney functions; To achieve these goals, we will perform pilot MRI studies with kidney transplant patients. We will study if MRI can reflect different levels of kidney function. The investigators will also evaluate if MRI can differentiate causes for declining kidney function. Finally, the investigators will explore how MRI measures changes before and after medical treatment for worsening kidney function. You may be invited for MRI exams with different exam options. An MRI exam may use either of two types of MRI machines at the center for magnetic resonance research (CMRR): the 3 Tesla (3T) scanner and the 7 Tesla (7T) scanner. You may also be invited for a multi-session exam. A description of the MRI exam types with different exam options and the types of multi-session exams is provided later in this document.

Fostamatinib in the Treatment of Chronic Active Antibody Mediated Rejection

A Phase 2, Pilot Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Fostamatinib in the Treatment of Chronic Active Antibody Mediated Rejection in Renal Transplantation

Induction in Sensitized Kidney Transplant Recipients Without Pre-existing Donor-specific antiboDies

Induction therapy decreases the rate of acute allograft rejection in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and is strongly recommended. Polyclonal lymphocyte-depleting antibodies and interleukin-2 receptor (IL2R) antagonists are therefore widely used around the world, with a leading position for rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG, Thymoglobulin®) and basiliximab (Simulect®), respectively. The actual immunological risk of the sensitized KTRs without donor specific antibodies (DSAs) is still debated. The benefit-risk equation of lymphocyte depleting antibodies (versus IL2R antagonists) is not known in sensitized KTRs without DSAs. This clinical trial will compare the efficacy and safety of basiliximab and rATG in sensitized KTR without pre-existing DSAs detected by Luminex.