CytoGam immunoglobulin to prevent late CMV disease after liver or kidney transplant

Exploratory Use of CMV Immunoglobulin in High Risk (D+R-) Transplant Recipients at the End of Antiviral Prophylaxis to Decrease the Risk of Late CMV Infection

Phase 4 Interventional Massachusetts General Hospital · NCT06958796

This trial will try giving monthly CytoGam infusions after standard antiviral pills end to see if it lowers the chance of late CMV disease in high-risk liver, kidney, or combined liver-kidney transplant patients (donor positive, recipient negative).

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorMassachusetts General Hospital Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06958796 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase 4 interventional trial enrolls adult transplant recipients at high risk for late CMV disease (donor CMV seropositive, recipient seronegative) after liver, kidney, or simultaneous liver-kidney transplant. After participants complete standard valganciclovir prophylaxis, they receive intravenous CMV immune globulin (CytoGam) monthly for three months. The study follows participants for evidence of late CMV infection or disease and routine laboratory monitoring, with exclusion of patients with very low kidney function or other non-kidney/liver transplants. The goal is to determine whether adding post-prophylaxis immunoglobulin reduces late CMV complications in this specific high-risk group.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–75 years old who received a kidney, liver, or simultaneous liver-kidney transplant with donor CMV positive and recipient CMV negative status and who have completed standard valganciclovir prophylaxis are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with other donor/recipient CMV serology combinations, other organ transplants, recent treatment for rejection, very low kidney function (eGFR <30), or active participation in another interventional trial are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce the number of late CMV infections and related complications in high-risk transplant recipients.

How similar studies have performed: CMV hyperimmune globulin has been used in transplant settings with mixed results historically, so this post-prophylaxis use is not yet proven and remains an area of active study.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

* High risk pretransplant CMV donor seropositive/recipient seronegative (D+R-) kidney, liver, or simultaneous liver-kidney (SLK) transplant recipients
* Able to do routine blood testing (normal care for transplant recipients)
* Written informed consent obtained from the subject before any trial-related procedures
* Be ≥18 years and ≤75 years of age at time of consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Any pre-transplant CMV serologic combinations besides CMV D+/R-
* Multi organ transplants (other than simultaneous liver-kidney transplant (SLK) recipients) or prior history of bone marrow or stem cell transplant
* Lung, heart, small bowel, pancreas, or other non-kidney or non-liver transplant recipients
* Transplant recipients treated for rejection within three months before the end of valganciclovir prophylaxis
* Participation in another interventional clinical trial at time of consent or within 30 days prior to study consent
* Transplant recipients with eGFR \<30 ml/min/1.73m2 (as they theoretically could be at higher risk for renal impairment with CMV immunoglobulin), poor transplant organ function (i.e. LFTs \> twice the upper limit of normal in liver recipients), or who are on dialysis, or plasmapheresis, or who are relisted for transplant, or who might otherwise at risk of complications at the discretion of the local site investigator.
* Those with a history of severe reaction to CMV immunoglobulin (e.g. CytoGam® or similar) or other human immunoglobulin preparations
* Individuals with a history of selective immunoglobulin A deficiency will be excluded, as they may produce antibodies against immunoglobulin A, leading to potential anaphylactic reactions upon receiving blood products containing immunoglobulin A, such as CMV immunoglobulin (e.g. CytoGam® or similar)
* Any history of acute myocardial infarction (within 12 months of screening), clinically significant arrythmia, or clinically significant ECG abnormality in the opinion of the investigator at time of screening
* History of active or latent tuberculosis (except those who have completed a documented regimen for latent TB treatment) or severe pulmonary disease \[e.g., severe pulmonary hypertension (WHO class IV)\] that in the opinion of the investigator that may preclude their ability to safely tolerate study infusions
* Any history of neurodegenerative disease, including dementia, or stroke with substantial residual disability (modified Rankin score ≥ 3)
* Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women confirmed by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) laboratory test.
* Women of childbearing potential unless using a highly effective method of contraception during dosing and for 24 weeks after study treatment. Medically acceptable birth control (contraceptives) includes but are not limited to: surgical sterilization (such as hysterectomy or "tubes tied"), approved hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills, patch or ring; Depo-Provera, Depo-Lupron, lmplanon), barrier methods (such as condom or diaphragm), an intrauterine device (IUD), abstinence from sex.
* Any significant history of any treatment nonadherence or any other medical condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would confound the results of the study or put the participant at undue risk
* Subjects who have any of the following laboratory values: eGFR \<30 ml/min/1.73m2 ; Hemoglobin \<8.0 g/dL; Platelets \<50,000 cells/uL; Absolute neutrophil count \<1,000 cells/uL; Total bilirubin \>2.5 x upper limit of normal; Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \>5 x upper limit of normal; Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)\] \>5 x upper limit of normal; CMV IgG negative in donor or positive in recipient

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions CytomegalovirusOrgan TransplantKidney TransplantComplicationsLiver Transplant ComplicationsSimultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplantationcytomegalovirusvalganciclovir
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.