Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 and up

Transplanting organs from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive recipients

Official title: Tulane Abdominal Transplant Institute (TATI) of Solid Organ Transplantation of HIV-Positive Recipients From HIV-Positive Donors (TATI HOPE Act)

Run by Tulane University · NCT05159466 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether kidney transplants from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive recipients are safe and effective for people living with HIV.

More End Stage Renal Disease trials

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment30 (estimated)
SponsorTulane University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Metairie, Louisiana)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 15, 2021
Main results expectedNovember 2026
Study endsNovember 2026
Registry record updatedOctober 2, 2025
Trial IDNCT05159466 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are stable HIV-infected adults aged 18 and older who require a kidney transplant and meet specific HIV-related health criteria.

Probably not a fit

Patients with active opportunistic infections or those who do not meet the specified HIV health criteria may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study focuses on the transplantation of kidneys from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive recipients, aiming to enhance understanding of the safety and effectiveness of such procedures. It involves stable HIV-infected adults who meet specific criteria for organ transplantation and includes both deceased and living donors. Each participant will have an independent advocate to ensure informed decision-making and protect their interests throughout the process. The study is conducted under strict regulatory compliance to ensure the rights of all participants are upheld.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a viable organ transplantation option for HIV-positive patients, improving their quality of life and health outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using HIV-positive donors for HIV-positive recipients is relatively novel, existing studies have indicated potential for success in similar contexts under the HOPE Act.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Recipient Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Participant meets standard listing criteria for transplant.
* Greater than or equal to 18 years of age.
* Participant has documented HIV infection using an FDA-licensed, approved, or cleared test device(s).
* CD4+ T-cell count ≥200/μL within 16 weeks prior to transplant; any patient with history of Opportunistic Infections must have a CD4 positive T-cell count ≥200/uL.
* HIV RNA less than 50 copies/mL and on a stable antiretroviral regimen.
* No evidence of active opportunistic complications of HIV infection.
* On a stable antiretroviral regimen. Participants unable to tolerate ART due to organ failure may still be considered eligible if the study team is confident there will be a safe, tolerable, and effective antiretroviral regimen once organ function is restored after transplantation.
* No history of primary CNS lymphoma or progressive PML

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participant has concomitant conditions that, in the judgment of the investigators, would preclude transplantation or immunosuppression.
* Less than 18 years of age.
* Requires multi-organ transplantation.
* Participant is pregnant or breastfeeding.
* Participant has a history of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), chronic intestinal cryptosporidiosis of \> 1 month duration, or primary CNS lymphoma.
* Participant has a history of any neoplasm except for the following: resolved Kaposi's sarcoma, in situ anogenital carcinoma, adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, solid tumors (except primary CNS lymphoma) treated with curative therapy and disease free for more than 5 years. History of renal cell carcinoma requires disease-free state for 2 years. History of leukemia and disease free duration will be per site policy.
* Participants who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent.

Donor Criteria Deceased Donor Criteria

1. Must meet all clinical criteria for HIV-uninfected organ donors.
2. No evidence of invasive opportunistic complications of HIV infection.
3. Pre-implant donor organ biopsy showing no disease process that would put the recipient at increased risk of rapid progression to end-stage organ failure, to be stored for the duration of the study.
4. Donor has documented HIV infection (by any licensed ELISA and confirmation by Western Blot, positive HIV ab IFA, or history of detectable HIV-1 RNA) from a CLIA approved laboratory.
5. If known history of HIV infection and prior antiretroviral therapy, the study team must describe the anticipated post-transplant antiretroviral regimen(s) to be prescribed for the recipient and justify its conclusion that the regimen will be safe, tolerable and effective.
6. Pre-implant donor organ biopsy to be stored, at a minimum, for the duration of the study (or at least 5 years).
7. For donors with newly diagnosed/discovered HIV-1 infection, any HIV-1 RNA viral load is allowed assuming the donor meets other criteria and the HIV/Transplant Infectious Diseases team is able to predict a tolerable and effective ART regimen for the recipient.
8. If there is any history of documented antiretroviral resistance in the donor by medical chart review, the HIV/Transplant Infectious Diseases team is able to predict a tolerable and effective ART regimen for the recipient.
9. Donors with documented chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV+) co-infection (detectable HCV nucleic acid using any licensed assay in a CLIA certified lab) can be used only for HCV+ participants.

Living Donor Criteria

1. Greater than or equal to 18 years of age
2. Donor meets all clinical criteria to be a living donor other than being HIV positive.
3. Donor has consented to participate as a HIV-Positive Donor under the separate Addendum protocol.
4. Documented HIV infection using an FDA-licensed, approved, or cleared test device.
5. Well-controlled HIV infection, as evidenced by:

   1. CD4+ T-cell count ≥500/mL for the 6-month period preceding donation.
   2. Fewer than 50 copies/mL of HIV- 1 RNA detectable by ultrasensitive or real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.
6. No evidence of invasive opportunistic complications of HIV infection
7. A kidney biopsy showing no evidence of a disease process that would put the donor at increased risk of progressing to end-stage organ failure after donation, or that would present a risk of poor graft function to the recipient.
8. A complete history of ART regimens and ART resistance.
9. The study team must be able to predict a safe, tolerable, and effective regimen to be prescribed for the recipient based on the donor's current ART regimen as well as the donor's history of ART resistance.

Where it's running

  • East Jefferson General Hospital
    Metairie, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • Ribupatide PK in People with Kidney Impairment

    This study tests how a single shot of ribupatide behaves in the body for people with severe kidney problems compared to those with normal kidney function.

    Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 1 Kailera · Orlando, Florida and 1 other locations · NCT07793929

  • Intradiay dialysis exercise to improve posture in adults with end-stage kidney disease

    This study tests whether a 12-week supervised exercise program done during dialysis can improve posture in adults on maintenance hemodialysis.

    Recruiting Pardis Specialized Wellness Institute · Isfahan · NCT07720401

  • Pumpkin seed oil for people on hemodialysis

    This study tests whether taking pumpkin seed oil daily for 3 months helps reduce inflammation and improve-related lab markers in people with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis.

    Recruiting Al-Mustansiriyah University · Baghdad, Karkh · NCT07710183

  • Porcine thymokidney transplant for end-stage renal disease

    This study tests whether a GalKO porcine thymokidney transplant can keep kidney function without dialysis in adults with end-stage kidney disease who are unlikely to get a standard donor kidney soon.

    Recruiting Phase 1 Xeno Holdings (US), LLC dba ChoironeX · New York, New York and 1 other locations · NCT07696962

  • ICVAX therapeutic DNA vaccine for people living with HIV in Hong Kong

    This trial tests whether the ICVAX DNA vaccine, given with three different delivery devices, is safe and boosts HIV-specific T-cell responses in adults on stable antiretroviral therapy.

    Recruiting Phase 1 Yicura Holding (HK) Limited · Shatin, New Territories · NCT07530198

  • How inflammatory diseases change the way your body handles medicines.

    This study will see if inflammatory conditions like type 2 diabetes, IBD, or end-stage kidney disease change how common medicines are processed and increase the chance of side effects.

    Recruiting Indiana University · Indianapolis, Indiana · NCT07360938

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.