Prophylaxis With Direct-acting Antivirals for Kidney Transplantation From HCV-Infected Donors to Uninfected Recipients

Prophylaxis With Direct-acting Antivirals for Kidney Transplantation From Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Donors to Uninfected Recipients: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is being done to find out the best time to start medication for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in HCV-negative recipients of HCV-positive (HCV D+/R-) kidney transplants. Participants will be randomized into one of two groups:

Arm 1 - Prophylaxis: This group will start the HCV medication before transplant and will take a shorter course of HCV medication for 2 weeks.

Arm 2 - Transmit and Treat: This group will start the HCV medication after transplant and will take the full course (12 weeks) of HCV medication.

In the past, HCV-positive (HCV+) kidneys were not given to HCV-negative recipients. But over the last few years, medications have been created that cure HCV in nearly 100% of patients. HCV+ transplants to HCV-negative recipients have become increasingly common now that HCV can be cured.

There are two approaches to giving HCV medication to recipients of these transplants. The first is a prophylaxis approach. With prophylaxis, HCV medication is started before transplant and continued for a shorter course after transplant. The second is a transmit-and-treat approach. With transmit-and-treat, HCV medication is started after transplant and continued for the full, recommended course. Both approaches have successfully cured HCV in HCV-negative recipients of HCV+ organs.

This research will use a study drug called sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL). It contains two drugs for treating HCV in one pill. We will compare giving SOF/VEL for 2 weeks starting pre-transplant (prophylaxis) to giving SOF/VEL for 12 weeks starting no later than 14 days post-transplant (transmit-and-treat).

SOF/VEL belongs to a group of medications called direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). These drugs prevent HCV from multiplying and spreading in the human body. SOF/VEL are already approved and used for 12 weeks to treat HCV infection. The use of SOF/VEL for 2 weeks in preventing HCV infection has not been studied. The FDA is allowing SOF/VEL to be used in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant meets the standard criteria for KT at local center.
• Participant is able to understand and provide informed consent.
• Participant is ≥ 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participant has active HCV infection (detectable HCV RNA) at time of screening.
• Participant has cirrhosis or advanced liver fibrosis.
• Participant's aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or ALT > 2.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), within 60 days of screen.
• Participant has human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), or active hepatitis B (HBV) infection.
• Participant is unable to safely substitute or discontinue a medication that is contraindicated with the study medication.
• Past or current medical problems, which may pose additional risks from participation in the study, interfere with the participant's ability to comply with study, or impact the quality of the data obtained from the study.
• Participant is pregnant or breastfeeding.