Renal Transplant Clinical Studies
The transplant team at the University Health Care Renal Transplant Program has been highly active in the arena of transplantation technology and drug research since 1987. Our research endeavors include our own investigator-initiated projects and participation in larger multicenter trials. Potential benefits of research participation include improved organ function and survival, decreased risk of organ transplant rejection, and an increased number of treatment options for different disease states.Patients are invited to participate on a voluntary basis in clinical studies. To date, nearly 155 patients that underwent kidney transplantation at the University Health Care Renal Transplant Program are participating in one of 12 ongoing clinical studies.
Once a patient has been evaluated and approved for transplant they may be eligible for participation in a trial. Patients who are eligible may be approached with the opportunity to participate. All research participation is voluntary. A patient will never be enrolled in any study without their own signed consent. A member of the transplant team will sit down with the patient and explain what the trial is investigating and any risks or benefits that may arise from the research. All patients have the right to withdraw their consent at any time.
The University Health Care Renal Transplant Program is considered a center of excellence by several major trial sponsors. Much of our research is focused on progressive topics in transplant in order to maximize transplant success and minimize risks or adverse effects that may occur. Current research includes focus on such areas as:
- Steroid withdrawal to minimize cardiovascular and other risks associated with long-term steroid use
- Newer novel immunosuppressants to decrease the risk of rejection and prolong transplant survival
- Minimization of the amount of immunosuppressants taken to lower the risk of side effects without increasing the risk of rejection
- Crossover studies to change patients using older immunosuppressants to newer agents in order to prolong transplant survival and/or to lower the amount of side effects
The objective of the University Health Care's Renal Transplant Program is to provide progressive and thorough patient care while providing opportunities to benefit from and contribute to medical progress through the latest groundbreaking and forward-thinking research.
