New heart transplant drug combo aims to spare kidneys

NCT ID NCT06478017

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

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

    RECRUITING

    Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • NYU Langone Health (Site # 71177)

    RECRUITING

    New York, New York, 10016, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City

    RECRUITING

    Kansas City, Missouri, 64111, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Tampa General Hospital (Site # 71150)

    RECRUITING

    Tampa, Florida, 33606, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of Utah Medical Center (Site # 71126)

    RECRUITING

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••