AzTrials
AzTrials

Liver Transplantation (LT)NCT07875595

Immune Biomarkers for Predicting Complications After Liver Transplantation

An observational study of Liver Transplantation (LT) and Immuno-suppression, run by Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires at 3 sites in Argentina.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This multicenter prospective observational study will evaluate immune biomarkers in adults undergoing liver transplantation. The study aims to describe how immune markers change before and after transplantation and to assess whether these changes are associated with complications such as infections, acute cellular… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Immune Biomarker Assessment
How many people
60 participants
Where
3 sitesArgentina
Study dates
2 Mar 2026to Mar 2028
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Adult liver transplant recipients treated at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Hospital Universitario Austral, or Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires.

Who may be able to join

  • Age 18 years or older. Adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit after liver transplantation.

Who cannot join

  • Refusal to participate in the study. Liver transplantation performed for acute liver failure (fulminant hepatitis).

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Argentina3 sites, 3 recruiting
  • Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires

    Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires F.D., 1199

    alicia Gira, MD, +54 230 448-2000, aliciaroxanagira@gmail.com

    Daniel Ivulich, MD, +54 11 4827-7000, diivulich@gmail.com

    Recruiting
  • Hospital Aleman

    Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires F.D., C1118AAT

    Daniel Ivulich, MD, +54 11 4827-7000, diivulich@gmail.com

    Daniel Ivulich, MD

    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario Austral

    Pilar, Buenos Aires, B1629

    Alicia Gira, MD, +54 230 448-2000, aliciaroxanagira@gmail.com

    Alicia Gira, MD

    Recruiting

Other trials in Argentina

About this study

Official title: Estudio Multicéntrico de Biomarcadores Inmunológicos Para la Predicción de Complicaciones y Ajuste de la Inmunosupresión en Trasplante Hepático.

This multicenter prospective observational study will evaluate immune biomarkers in adults undergoing liver transplantation. The study aims to describe how immune markers change before and after transplantation and to assess whether these changes are associated with complications such as infections, acute cellular rejection, and viral reactivation during the first year after transplantation.

Blood samples will be collected before transplantation, on days 0, 3, and 7 after transplantation, and at months 1, 3, 6, and 12. Biomarkers evaluated will include cytokines, interferons, immunoglobulins, lymphocyte populations, monocyte HLA-DR, neutrophil CD64, functional immune assays, checkpoint molecules, and Torque Teno Virus. Clinical outcomes will be recorded prospectively. Biomarker results will be used for research purposes only and will not modify immunosuppressive treatment or other clinical decisions.

Read the detailed description

This is a multicenter, observational, analytical, prospective cohort study conducted at three liver transplant centers in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Hospital Universitario Austral, and Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires.

The study will include 60 adult liver transplant recipients. Serial blood samples will be obtained before transplantation and on days 0, 3, and 7, as well as at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after transplantation. Early immune profiling will include pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and interferons. Additional immune markers include immunoglobulins, lymphocyte populations, monocyte HLA-DR expression, neutrophil CD64, ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-stimulated TNF-alpha production, checkpoint molecules, and Torque Teno Virus.

Participants will be followed prospectively for clinical outcomes including infections, acute cellular rejection, hospitalizations, and viral reactivations. The study will evaluate longitudinal biomarker trajectories and their association with these clinical outcomes, including their potential diagnostic and predictive performance.

All biomarker measurements are performed for research purposes only. Results will not be used to guide or modify immunosuppressive therapy, which will remain under the responsibility of the treating clinical team.

Being tested
Immune Biomarker Assessment
Keywords
Biomarkers, immunosuppression, Acute Cellular Rejection, Infection, Viral Reactivation, Liver Transplantation
Medical subject headings
Rejection, Psychology, Infections

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Immune Biomarker AssessmentOther

    Serial measurement of immune biomarkers in blood samples collected before liver transplantation and on days 0, 3, and 7 and months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after transplantation. Biomarkers include cytokines, interferons, immunoglobulins, lymphocyte populations, monocyte HLA-DR, neutrophil CD64, functional immune assays, checkpoint molecules, and Torque Teno Virus. All measurements are performed for research purposes only and do not modify clinical management or immunosuppressive treatment.

Study groups in NCT07875595
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Immune-Mediated Liver DiseaseLiver transplant recipients with immune-mediated liver disease.
Receives: Other: Immune Biomarker Assessment
Non-Immune-Mediated Liver DiseaseLiver transplant recipients with non-immune-mediated liver disease.
Receives: Other: Immune Biomarker Assessment

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Longitudinal Change in Early Serum Cytokine and Interferon Concentrations

    Change over time in serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-18, TNF-α, MCP-1, IFN-α2, IFN-γ, IL-10, and TGF-β, comparing liver transplant recipients with immune-mediated versus non-immune-mediated liver disease. Concentrations will be measured in pg/mL. Analyses will be adjusted for the immunosuppressive regimen at each time point, including drug type, dose, and tacrolimus trough concentration.

    Measured: Pre-transplant and days 0, 3, and 7 after liver transplantation

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Longitudinal Change in Immunoglobulin Levels and Leukocyte Profile

    Change over time in serum immunoglobulin concentrations and leukocyte profile during the first year after liver transplantation, comparing recipients with immune-mediated versus non-immune-mediated liver disease. Analyses will be adjusted for the immunosuppressive regimen at each time point, including drug type, dose, and tacrolimus trough concentration.

    Measured: Months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after liver transplantation

  2. Occurrence of Post-Transplant Infections

    Occurrence of infections after liver transplantation and their association with longitudinal immune biomarker measurements to evaluate predictive performance.

    Measured: During index hospitalization, 0-3 months, and 3-12 months after liver transplantation

  3. Diagnostic Performance of HLA-DR and CD64 for Bacterial Infection

    Diagnostic performance of monocyte HLA-DR and neutrophil CD64 for distinguishing bacterial from non-bacterial infections in liver transplant recipients with suspected infection. Performance will be assessed using ROC curves, AUC, predictive values, and likelihood ratios.

    Measured: During the first 12 months after liver transplantation

  4. Occurrence of Acute Cellular Rejection

    Occurrence of acute cellular rejection and its association with longitudinal immune biomarker measurements during the first year after liver transplantation.

    Measured: Up to 12 months after liver transplantation

  5. Occurrence of CMV and Other Herpesvirus Reactivation

    Occurrence of CMV or other herpesvirus reactivation and its association with cellular and humoral biomarkers, including NK cells, regulatory T cells, immunoglobulins, and leukocyte profile.

    Measured: Up to 12 months after liver transplantation

  6. Association of Torque Teno Virus Levels With Infection, Rejection, and Tacrolimus Exposure

    Association of Torque Teno Virus (TTV) levels with the occurrence of infection and acute rejection, and longitudinal association between TTV levels and tacrolimus concentrations as a marker of immunosuppression.

    Measured: Months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after liver transplantation

  7. Association Between Immunosuppression Intensity and Longitudinal Immune Biomarker Trajectories

    Association between immunosuppression intensity, defined by immunosuppressive regimen, drug doses, and tacrolimus trough concentrations, and longitudinal trajectories of immune biomarkers. The analysis will explore whether this association differs according to immune-mediated versus non-immune-mediated liver disease.

    Measured: From transplantation through 12 months after liver transplantation

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Oct 2026
  2. Study start2 Mar 2026
  3. Primary completionApr 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMar 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07875595
Sponsor's protocol ID
HIBAIMMUNOTH
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
8 Oct 2026
Last updated
15 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data will not be shared because study data are coded, stored with restricted access, and managed in accordance with institutional confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Publications

  • Heldman MR, Dunn B, Clemens E, Henderson M, Fisher CE, Rakita RM, Kling CE, Limaye AP. A practical guide to real-world implementation of pre-emptive therapy for Cytomegalovirus disease prevention in high-risk seronegative liver transplant recipients with seropositive donors. Transpl Infect Dis. 2024 Jun;26(3):e14229. doi: 10.1111/tid.14229. Epub 2024 Jan 12.

    PubMed 38214192
  • Reiss-Gindi N, Hoffman T, Ruderman T, Atamna A, Margalit I, Yahav D. Prophylactic vs preemptive strategy for the prevention of CMV disease in solid organ transplant recipients: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Infection. 2025 Jun;53(3):1091-1099. doi: 10.1007/s15010-024-02441-4. Epub 2024 Nov 22.

    PubMed 39576569
  • Stewart AG, Kotton CN. What's New: Updates on Cytomegalovirus in Solid Organ Transplantation. Transplantation. 2024 Apr 1;108(4):884-897. doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000004855. Epub 2023 Oct 30.

    PubMed 37899366
  • Lizaola-Mayo BC, Rodriguez EA. Cytomegalovirus infection after liver transplantation. World J Transplant. 2020 Jul 29;10(7):183-190. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v10.i7.183.

    PubMed 32844094
  • Fontela PS, O'Donnell S, Papenburg J. Can biomarkers improve the rational use of antibiotics? Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2018 Aug;31(4):347-352. doi: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000467.

    PubMed 29794541
  • Patterson TF, Thompson GR 3rd, Denning DW, Fishman JA, Hadley S, Herbrecht R, Kontoyiannis DP, Marr KA, Morrison VA, Nguyen MH, Segal BH, Steinbach WJ, Stevens DA, Walsh TJ, Wingard JR, Young JA, Bennett JE. Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Aspergillosis: 2016 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2016 Aug 15;63(4):e1-e60. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciw326. Epub 2016 Jun 29.

    PubMed 27365388
  • Salmanton-Garcia J, Giacinta A, Giannella M, Vena A, Munoz P, Cornely OA, Valerio M. Current trends on antifungal prophylaxis in solid organ transplantation: a study from ESCMID-EFISG, ESCMID-ESGICH, SITA, and SEIMC-GESITRA-IC. Infection. 2025 Dec;53(6):2411-2420. doi: 10.1007/s15010-025-02575-z. Epub 2025 Jul 4.

    PubMed 40614031
  • Denzel C, Riese J, Hohenberger W, Born G, Kockerling F, Tschaikowsky K, Reith HB, Reck T, Haupt W. Monitoring of immunotherapy by measuring monocyte HLA-DR expression and stimulated TNFalpha production during sepsis after liver transplantation. Intensive Care Med. 1998 Dec;24(12):1343-4. doi: 10.1007/s001340050775. No abstract available.

    PubMed 9885893
  • Peng B, Yang M, Zhuang Q, Li J, Zhang P, Liu H, Cheng K, Ming Y. Standardization of neutrophil CD64 and monocyte HLA-DR measurement and its application in immune monitoring in kidney transplantation. Front Immunol. 2022 Nov 23;13:1063957. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1063957. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 36505404
  • Haveman JW, van den Berg AP, van den Berk JM, Mesander G, Slooff MJ, de Leij LH, The TH. Low HLA-DR expression on peripheral blood monocytes predicts bacterial sepsis after liver transplantation: relation with prednisolone intake. Transpl Infect Dis. 1999 Sep;1(3):146-52. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-3062.1999.010302.x.

    PubMed 11428984
  • Regele F, Haupenthal F, Doberer K, Gorzer I, Kapps S, Strassl R, Bond G. The kinetics of Torque Teno virus plasma load following calcineurin inhibitor dose change in kidney transplant recipients. J Med Virol. 2024 Mar;96(3):e29554. doi: 10.1002/jmv.29554.

    PubMed 38511586
  • Engel B, Gorzer I, Campos-Murguia A, Hartleben B, Puchhammer-Stockl E, Jaeckel E, Taubert R. Association of torque teno virus viremia with liver fibrosis in the first year after liver transplantation. Front Immunol. 2023 Jul 18;14:1215868. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1215868. eCollection 2023.

    PubMed 37533865
  • Ruiz P, Martinez-Picola M, Santana M, Munoz J, Perez-Del-Pulgar S, Koutsoudakis G, Sastre L, Colmenero J, Crespo G, Navasa M. Torque Teno Virus Is Associated With the State of Immune Suppression Early After Liver Transplantation. Liver Transpl. 2019 Feb;25(2):302-310. doi: 10.1002/lt.25374.

    PubMed 30375165
  • Mian M, Natori Y, Ferreira V, Selzner N, Husain S, Singer L, Kim SJ, Humar A, Kumar D. Evaluation of a Novel Global Immunity Assay to Predict Infection in Organ Transplant Recipients. Clin Infect Dis. 2018 Apr 17;66(9):1392-1397. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix1008.

    PubMed 29281051
  • Sood S, Haifer C, Yu L, Pavlovic J, Churilov L, Gow PJ, Jones RM, Angus PW, Visvanathan K, Testro AG. A novel immune function biomarker identifies patients at risk of clinical events early following liver transplantation. Liver Transpl. 2017 Apr;23(4):487-497. doi: 10.1002/lt.24730.

    PubMed 28133934

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Liver Transplantation (LT) and Immuno-suppression, run by Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires at 3 sites in Argentina.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites in Argentina. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Jorge Martinez, MD (+541149590200 ext. 8635, jorgec.martinez@hospitalitaliano.org.ar), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Longitudinal Change in Early Serum Cytokine and Interferon Concentrations (time frame: Pre-transplant and days 0, 3, and 7 after liver transplantation). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07875595, which also lists 26 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Oct 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in