Can a cancer drug help kidney patients get transplants faster?

NCT ID NCT05017545

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

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

Some people waiting for a kidney transplant have immune systems that reject most donors, leading to years of waiting. This study tests whether two drugs—carfilzomib (used for multiple myeloma) and belatacept (an immune-suppressing drug)—can reduce that sensitivity. About 21 participants will receive the drugs and be monitored for safety and whether they become eligible for a transplant sooner.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: carfilzomib and belatacept
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could help highly sensitized patients receive a kidney transplant sooner by lowering their immune barriers.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with only 21 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The drugs also carry risks of serious infections and infusion reactions.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

end stage renal failure

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HIGHLY SENSITIZED PROSPECTIVE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Duke Transplant Center, Duke University Medical Center

Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.