A trial of different treatments on livers before transplantation

ISRCTN ISRCTN36453355
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN36453355
IRAS number 295373
Secondary identifying numbers IRAS 295373
Submission date
05/06/2021
Registration date
07/09/2021
Last edited
15/01/2025
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Surgery
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
A recent innovation in liver transplantation is the ability to store livers outside the body for a period of time before implantation. This involves restoring an artificial blood supply to the livers (perfusion), which typically includes red calls in a plasma substitute with some additional chemicals which either help the liver during this period of storage or are believed to improve the way the liver will work after transplantation.
The aim of this study is to explore variations in both the plasma substitute and the additional chemicals to see which is associated with a better outcome. Outcome in this study will be determined by the expression of genes related to liver function and the immune response.

Who can participate?
Any adult at our centre undergoing a liver transplant.

What does the study involve?
The study involves altering the composition of the perfusate and measuring the outcomes in terms of gene expression, but also other markers such as the perfusion parameters, and chemical markers of looking at the injury occurring in the livers when the perfusion begins

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The possible benefits are an improvement in the quality and initial function of the liver following transplantation. Conversely, the risks are that it may be worse.

Where is the study run from?
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2021 to December 2026

Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded

Who is the main contact?
Prof Chris Watson, cjew2@cam.ac.uk

Contact information

Prof Chris Watson
Public

Dept of Surgery
Box 202
Addenbrookes Hospital
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-0590-4901
Phone +44 (0)1223216108
Email cjew2@cam.ac.uk

Study information

Study designInterventional randomized single-centre study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleA study to evaluate the effects of different perfusion conditions during ex situ liver perfusion
Study objectivesTranscriptomics will differentiate between the effects of different perfusates during ex situ perfusion
Ethics approval(s)Approved 17/09/2021, Cambridge South REC (The Old Chapel, Royal Standard Place, Nottingham, NG1 6FS, UK; +44 (0)207 104 8104; cambridgesouth.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 21/EE/0177
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedLiver transplantation
InterventionThis is a study of isolated livers undergoing normothermic perfusion ex situ (ex vivo). There are additional readouts for some groups)
Study groups (n=6 to 10) will undergo incremental changes before proceeding to the next group.

Intervention arms include:
1. Comparing starting perfusate pHs of 7.2 and 7.6
2. Addition of a leucocyte filter into the circuit vs. none
3. Addition of a cytokine filter into the circuit vs. none
4. Addition of a thrombolytic agent (TPA) into the perfusate
5. Use of Gelofusin, human albumin, or fresh frozen plasma as plasma substitute
6. Use of an amino acid (Aminoven) infusion, or L-arginine infusion, vs a one off loading dose at the start of perfusion (additional readout: pefusate amino acid concentrations)
7. Exclusion of insulin from the perfusate vs its inclusion
8. Addition of 100mg hydrocortisone vs 3.3mg dexamethasone vs no steroid in perfusate
9. Addition of 4mg ciclosporin to perfusate vs no ciclosporin
10. Addition of allopurinol to perfusate vs none
11. Addition of vitamins C and E to perfusate vs none
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Organox metra liver perfusion device, alteplase, Gelofusine, human albumin solution, fresh frozen plasma
Primary outcome measureTranscriptomic profile measured using liver biopsies collected into RNA Later before and after 4 hours and at the end of liver perfusion and after reperfusion in the recipient
Secondary outcome measures1. Transcriptomic signature measured using DESeq on biopsies of the liver taken pre-perfusion and after 4h, and at the end of perfusion and following reperfusion
2. Post transplant function:
2.1. Post reperfusion syndrome measured using mean blood pressure measured using an invasive arterial pressure monitor recording for the five minutes before and after reperfusion of the liver
2.2. Early allograft function measured using the model for early allograft function score which looks at recipient biochemical and haematological variables over the first 3 days post transplant
2.3. Early allograft function measured using L-GraFT7 score which looks at recipient biochemical and haematological variables over the first 7 days post transplant
2.4. Early allograft function measured using Olthoff score which looks at recipient biochemical and haematological variables over the first 7 days post transplant
2.5. Incidence of anastomotic and non-anastomotic structures in DCD livers measured using MRCP in the first 6 months post transplant
2.6. Peak creatinine d1-7 measured using serum creatinine measurements at baseline and the first 7 days post transplant
3. Perfusate chemistry:
3.1. TBARS measured using perfusate from the liver machine taken after 30mins and 4 hours of perfusion will be measured using a commercial kit
3.2. HMGB-1 measured using perfusate from the liver machine taken after 30mins and 4 hours of perfusion will be measured using a commercial kit
3.3. Hyaluronic acid levels measured using perfusate from the liver machine taken after 30mins and 4 hours of perfusion will be measured using a commercial kit
3.4. Uric acid measured using the Piccolo Express near patient analyser at 1, 2 and 4 hours
3.5. D-dimer concentration (thrombolysis group) measured on perfusate taken after 30mins and 4 hours of perfusion using a commercial assay kit

Early allograft function and cholangiopathy are based on tests in the recipient post transplant; one post transplant biopsy for transcriptomics will be done post transplant
Overall study start date04/06/2021
Completion date31/12/2026

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants150 to 250
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged ≥18 years
2. Requiring a liver transplant
Key exclusion criteria1. Lack of consent
2. Inability to comprehend the information
Date of first enrolment01/08/2021
Date of final enrolment01/07/2024

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Addenbrooke's Hospital
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Funders

Funder type

Other

Investigator initiated and funded

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/07/2027
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryOther
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planAll data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No
Protocol file version 3.1 07/03/2023 31/07/2023 No No

Additional files

ISRCTN36453355_Protocol_v3.1_07Mar2023.pdf

Editorial Notes

15/01/2025: The following changes were made:
1. The overall study end date was changed from 01/07/2025 to 31/12/2026.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 01/07/2026 to 01/07/2027.
31/07/2023: The following changes have been made:
1. Protocol file uploaded.
2. The device, drug and biological names have been added.
06/10/2021: Sponsor contact and ethics approval details updated.
07/09/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by Cambridge South REC.