Simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation Clinical Trial
Official title:
Optimization of NULOJIX® (Belatacept) Usage as a Means of Minimizing CNI Exposure in Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation (CTOT-15)
The purpose of this study is to find out if the drug NULOJIX® (belatacept) will minimize the amount of other anti-rejection medications necessary and thereby reduce the long-term side effects caused by the other medications. The researchers also want to learn more about the safety of this treatment and long term health of transplanted pancreases and kidneys.
Transplant recipients have to take anti-rejection medications to prevent their immune systems (the body's natural defense system against illness) from rejecting their new organs. Most patients who receive a transplanted organ must take these anti-rejection medications for the rest of their lives, or for as long as the transplanted organ continues to work. Taking standard anti-rejection medications for a long time can cause serious side effects, including pancreas and kidney damage. There would be a benefit to finding new anti-rejection medications that work just as well, but could lessen the amount of anti-rejection medications that are taken long term. ;