Could a single infusion of 'Trainer' cells free liver transplant patients from lifelong drugs?
NCT ID NCT04208919
First seen Jul 13, 2026 · Last updated Jul 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a single infusion of donor-derived regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg) can help living donor liver transplant recipients safely stop taking immunosuppression drugs. Participants are low-risk patients who are 1 to 3 years post-transplant. They receive the DCreg infusion and then slowly wean off their anti-rejection medication, with close monitoring for rejection and other complications.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- donor-derived regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could allow liver transplant recipients to stop taking lifelong immunosuppression drugs without rejecting the new liver.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with only 16 participants, so results may not apply broadly. There are risks of severe infusion reactions, infections, rejection, or graft loss.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
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