Title

Safety Outcomes of Lower Immunosuppression Versus Traditional Immunosuppression in Heart Transplant Recipients
Tacrolimus In Combination, Tacrolimus Alone Compared (TICTAC Trial): A Prospective Randomized Trial Of Minimized Immunosuppression In Adult Heart Transplant Recipients
  • Phase

    Phase 4
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    150
This was a study to compare less intense immunosuppression with a more traditional approach. The hypothesis was that less immunosuppression will provide similar protection against rejection than typical 2-3 drug therapy.
This was a prospective, randomized, controlled (open-label) trial of 2 different strategies of immunosuppression in de novo post-heart transplant patients. The hypothesis was that immunosuppression with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, coupled with rapid steroid weaning would provide similar anti-rejection efficacy as tacrolimus with only a 2 week course of mycophenolate mofetil but including the same rapid steroid wean.

The primary endpoint was the mean International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) biopsy score over the first 6 months post-transplant. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of adverse events over the first year post-transplant, as well as all-cause mortality, 12 month ISHLT biopsy score (mean), along with the incidence of proven cytomegalovirus disease. In addition, the incidence of allograft vasculopathy as assessed by angiography or intravascular ultrasound was compared between groups.
Study Started
Apr 30
2004
Primary Completion
Jun 30
2009
Study Completion
Dec 31
2009
Results Posted
May 28
2015
Estimate
Last Update
May 28
2015
Estimate

Drug Tacrolimus

tacrolimus

  • Other names: Prograf

Drug combination therapy

MMF

  • Other names: mycophenolate mofetil / CellCept

Monotherapy Active Comparator

Tacrolimus alone

Combination therapy Active Comparator

tacrolimus with mycophenolate mofetil

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Adult (at least 18 years old)
Undergoing a first heart transplant (no heart/kidney transplants), who receive their transplant at one of the study sites
Specifically INCLUDED are patients on ventricular assist devices, and allosensitized recipients

Exclusion Criteria:

Age less than 18
Inability to provide proper informed consent
Combined organ transplantation
Re-Transplantation

Summary

Monotherapy

Combination Therapy

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term Monotherapy Combination Therapy

Mean International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Biopsy Score Over the First 6 Months Post-transplantation

Mean ISHLT biopsy score Biopsies of the heart may be various grades and each is assigned a numerical score. Grade 0 is 0 points, 1A = 1, 1B = 2, grade 2 = 3, grade 3A = 4, Grade 3B = 5, and grade 4 = 6 units. The mean biopsy score is the numeric average of the biopsy scores for the first 6 post-transplant months. Best value is 0, worst score is 6.

Monotherapy

0.7
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.44

Combination Therapy

0.65
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.4

Percent of Patients Alive at One Year Post-transplant

Percent of patients alive at one year post-transplant. In other words, all cause mortality over time

Monotherapy

98.0
percent of participants

Combination Therapy

98.0
percent of participants

Number of Patients With Cytomegalovirus (CMV) at One Year Post-transplant

Number of patients developing cytomegalovirus disease by 1 year post-transplant

Monotherapy

2.0
participants

Combination Therapy

2.0
participants

Number of Patients With Allograft Vasculopathy (CAD) at One Year Post Transplant

Number of patients diagnosed with allograft vasculopathy / coronary artery disease (CAD) at one year post transplant

Monotherapy

Combination Therapy

Mean ISHLT Biopsy Score Over First Year Post-transplant

Mean ISHLT biopsy score Biopsies of the heart may be various grades and each is assigned a numerical score. Grade 0 is 0 points, 1A = 1, 1B = 2, grade 2 = 3, grade 3A = 4, Grade 3B = 5, and grade 4 = 6 units. The mean biopsy score is the numeric average of the biopsy scores for the first 6 post-transplant months. Best value is 0, worst score is 6.

Monotherapy

0.67
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.39

Combination Therapy

0.62
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.39

Total

150
Participants

Age, Continuous

54.65
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 10

Age, Categorical

Region of Enrollment

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Monotherapy

Combination Therapy