New heart transplant drug combo aims to spare kidneys

NCT ID NCT06478017

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether a drug called belatacept, combined with a gradual reduction of tacrolimus, can safely prevent organ rejection in heart transplant recipients while protecting kidney function. About 66 adults who receive a new heart will be randomly assigned to either standard care or the belatacept-based regimen. The study will track rejection episodes, kidney health, and survival over 18 months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: belatacept (NULOJIX)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer heart transplant patients a safer immunosuppression option that reduces long-term kidney damage.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial (66 people) testing safety and rejection rates. The belatacept regimen may not prevent rejection as well as standard care, and patients still need lifelong medication.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEART TRANSPLANT

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cedars Sinai Heart Institute/ Cedars Sinai Medical (Site # 71146)
RECRUITING

Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States
Emory University Hospital (Site #: 71103)
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
NYU Langone Health (Site # 71177)
RECRUITING

New York, New York, 10016, United States
St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City
RECRUITING

Kansas City, Missouri, 64111, United States
Tampa General Hospital (Site # 71150)
RECRUITING

Tampa, Florida, 33606, United States
University of Utah Medical Center (Site # 71126)
RECRUITING

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States

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