Could a rheumatoid arthritis drug help heart transplant patients?

NCT ID NCT03644667

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

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.

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

Allegheny General Hospital (PAAG)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, United States
Baylor University Medical Center (TXTX)

Dallas, Texas, 75246, United States
Cedars Sinai Medical Center (CACS)

Beverly Hills, California, 90211, United States
Cleveland Clinic Foundation (OHCC)

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
Columbia University Medical Center (NYCP)

New York, New York, 10032, United States
Duke University Medical Center (NCDU)

Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (PAUP)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital (MAMG)

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Montefiore Medical Center (NYMA)

The Bronx, New York, 10467, United States
Mount Sinai Medical Center (NYMS)

New York, New York, 10029, United States
Northwestern Memorial Hospital (INLM)

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
Penn State Health: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (PAHE)

Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City (MOLH)

Kansas City, Missouri, 64111, United States
Stanford Health Care (CASU)

Stanford, California, 94305, United States
Tampa General Hospital (FLTG)

Tampa, Florida, 33606, United States
Tufts Medical Center (MANM)

Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, United States
University of California, San Diego: Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center (CASD)

La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
University of Nebraska Medical Center (NEUN)

Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States
University of Utah (UTMC)

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (TNVU)

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States

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