Envarsus XL Immunosuppression Following Liver Transplantation

A 12 Month Single-center, Open Label, Randomized, Comparative Study to Evaluate Envarsus XL Steroid-free Rabbit Anti-thymocyte Globulin Induction on Renal Function and Health-related Quality of Life Following Liver Transplantation

The standard immunosuppressive regimen for liver transplantation includes twice daily tacrolimus (Prograf). In other transplantation models, there are potential benefits to extended release formulations as lower peak concentrations are thought to have lower rates of nephrotoxicity. Additionally, compliance with once daily medications is felt to be easier than twice daily medications. Our aim is to look at our prospective liver transplant group and see if once daily tacrolimus (Envarsus XR) results in improved renal function as well as improved health care quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
3. Male or female, aged 18 years or older
4. Recipients of a first-time liver transplant
5. Serum Creatinine level less than 2.0 on Post-Operative Day 3-7
6. Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the assigned immunosuppression regimen
7. Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations (see section 5.3) throughout study duration

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any prior use of tacrolimus or cyclosporine
2. Recipients of prior organ transplant
3. Need for hemodialysis in the week preceding or following liver transplantation
4. Recipients of living donor liver or split deceased donor liver allografts
5. Recipients of combined liver/kidney transplants
6. Pregnancy or lactation
7. Recipients of ABO incompatible liver allografts