Using FibroScan to guide lowering immune-suppressing drugs after liver transplant
Official title: Use of Transient Elastography to Guide Immunosuppression Minimization Post Liver Transplantation
Run by University of Alberta · NCT07206277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will test whether using FibroScan to measure liver stiffness lets doctors safely reduce immunosuppressive drugs in adults at least 2 years after a liver transplant who don't have autoimmune liver disease or recent rejection.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Alberta Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Edmonton, Alberta) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | January 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07206277 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults (≥18 years) 2–6 years after liver transplant with normal liver biochemistry, no history of rejection in the past year, no autoimmune liver disease, no active HBV/HCV, and no class II donor-specific antibodies.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with autoimmune liver disease, recent or ongoing rejection, abnormal liver tests, detectable HBV/HCV, class II DSA, decompensated disease, significant kidney failure, or those more than 6 years post-transplant are unlikely to benefit from minimization in this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The trial enrolls adult liver transplant recipients who are at least 2 years and up to 6 years post-transplant with normal liver tests and no recent rejection, viral hepatitis, or class II donor-specific antibodies. Participants will undergo FibroScan to measure liver stiffness and fat, and those with readings consistent with a healthy graft will be offered stepwise reduction of immunosuppression. Investigators will monitor patients with blood tests, repeat FibroScan and clinical follow-up to detect rejection or other complications. The approach tests whether FibroScan-guided minimization can safely reduce long-term drug exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let some transplant recipients take fewer immunosuppressive drugs and lower their long-term risks of kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Small prior studies have suggested FibroScan can help identify patients who tolerate immunosuppression reduction, but larger controlled trials remain limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 2 years or more post-liver transplant * 18 years or older Exclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of either acute or chronic rejection in the past 12 months * abnormal liver enzymes (ALT \> 50; bilirubin \> 19 umol/L) * transplant for autoimmune liver disease (autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and primary biliary cholangitis) * presence of HCV RNA * presence of HBV DNA * presence of class II donor specific antibodies (DSA; pre-existing or de novo) * beyond 6 years of transplantation * presence of ascites, decompensated heart failure, biliary obstruction, CKD (bl eGFR 30 ml/min/1.73m2 or less), re-transplantation, or multi-visceral transplant.
Where it's running
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University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.