IMPACTTM - Studying duration of CMV prophylaxis
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplantation and affects more than 50% of transplant recipients.44
Generally, CMV infection occurs within the first 3 months of transplantation. Approximately 60% of healthy adults are asymptomatic CMV carriers, as evidenced by seropositive antibodies to CMV, and iatrogenic transmission can occur from donated solid organs to seronegative recipients.44
Cytomegalovirus infection and disease may influence both graft function and survival and also patient survival.44
Research has shown the occurrence of viremia and late CMV disease following short-term antiviral prophylaxis.45 In addition, a number of studies have reported favorable results with antiviral prophylaxis of longer than 3-months duration in SOT recipients.46,47
Roche is exploring longer durations of CMV prophylaxis to attempt to address the issue of late CMV disease.
IMPACTTM
References:
44Opelz G, Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis and graft outcome in solid organ transplantation: a collaborative transplant study report.
45Murry BM and Subramanian S. Late cytomegalovirus infection after oral ganciclovir prophylaxis in renal transplant recipients. Transplant Infectious Disease; 6: 3-9
46Akalin E, et al Cytomegalovirus Disease in high-risk transplant recipients despite ganciclovir or Valganciclovir prophylaxis. American Journal of Transplantation, 2003;3:731-735.
47 Akalin E, et al. Decreased incidence of cytomegalovirus infection in thymoglobulin-treated transplant patients with 6 months of valganciclovir prophylaxis. American Journal of Transplantation, 2004; 4(suppl 8):148-149