A trial of different treatments on livers before transplantation
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN36453355 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN36453355 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 295373 |
| Protocol serial number | IRAS 295373 |
| Sponsors | University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Funder | Investigator initiated and funded |
- 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
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
Public
Dept of Surgery
Box 202
Addenbrookes Hospital
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-0590-4901 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)1223216108 |
| cjew2@cam.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional randomized single-centre study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A study to evaluate the effects of different perfusion conditions during ex situ liver perfusion |
| Study objectives | Transcriptomics 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) studied | Liver transplantation |
| Intervention | This 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 type | Device |
| Phase | Not Applicable |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Organox metra liver perfusion device, alteplase, Gelofusine, human albumin solution, fresh frozen plasma |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Transcriptomic 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 |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. 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 |
| Completion date | 31/12/2026 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 150 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Aged ≥18 years 2. Requiring a liver transplant |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Lack of consent 2. Inability to comprehend the information |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/08/2021 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/07/2024 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Other |
| IPD sharing plan | All 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 | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Protocol file | version 3.1 | 07/03/2023 | 31/07/2023 | No | No |
Additional files
- ISRCTN36453355_Protocol_v3.1_07Mar2023.pdf
- Protocol file
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.
