Could a rheumatoid arthritis drug help heart transplant patients?
NCT ID NCT03644667
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether adding tocilizumab (Actemra) to standard anti-rejection medicines helps heart transplant recipients do better one year after surgery. 385 participants received either tocilizumab or a placebo alongside their usual drugs. The goal was to see if the drug reduces rejection, harmful antibodies, and heart damage.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
tocilizumab (Actemra)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could mean fewer rejection episodes and better heart function for transplant recipients, potentially improving long-term survival.
What could go wrong
This is a phase 2 trial, so results are still preliminary. Tocilizumab may not reduce rejection or could increase infection risk. Lifelong anti-rejection drugs are still needed.
Disclaimer
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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.
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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The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Allegheny General Hospital (PAAG)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, United States
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Baylor University Medical Center (TXTX)
Dallas, Texas, 75246, United States
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Cedars Sinai Medical Center (CACS)
Beverly Hills, California, 90211, United States
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Cleveland Clinic Foundation (OHCC)
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
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Columbia University Medical Center (NYCP)
New York, New York, 10032, United States
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Duke University Medical Center (NCDU)
Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
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Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (PAUP)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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Massachusetts General Hospital (MAMG)
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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Montefiore Medical Center (NYMA)
The Bronx, New York, 10467, United States
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Mount Sinai Medical Center (NYMS)
New York, New York, 10029, United States
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Northwestern Memorial Hospital (INLM)
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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Penn State Health: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (PAHE)
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
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St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City (MOLH)
Kansas City, Missouri, 64111, United States
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Stanford Health Care (CASU)
Stanford, California, 94305, United States
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Tampa General Hospital (FLTG)
Tampa, Florida, 33606, United States
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Tufts Medical Center (MANM)
Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, United States
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University of California, San Diego: Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center (CASD)
La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
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University of Nebraska Medical Center (NEUN)
Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States
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University of Utah (UTMC)
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center (TNVU)
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States