Recruiting

Stopping anti-rejection drugs after liver transplant using donor cells

Plain-English translation of NCT07269041 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 1/2 — A combined trial that checks safety and dosing while also starting to look at whether the treatment works.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether patients who received a liver transplant from a matched living donor can eventually stop taking anti-rejection medications for life. You would receive a two-week outpatient conditioning treatment (radiation and an antibody medicine), followed by an infusion of special immune cells from your donor. The goal is to train your immune system to accept the transplanted liver without needing daily medications.

Most liver transplant patients must take anti-rejection medications every day for the rest of their lives, which can have serious side effects and complications. This trial is exploring whether donor cell infusion can create a state of 'immune tolerance'—where your body naturally accepts the transplanted organ without lifelong medication.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years or older
you received a liver transplant from a living donor at least 1–20 years ago
your donor and you matched at 6 or more out of 12 HLA markers (a blood protein test)
your most recent liver biopsy showed no signs of rejection
you can travel to and stay near UCLA Medical Center for the first three months of the trial
you are not pregnant and willing to use contraception for at least 12 months

You likely don't qualify if…

you had rejection of your current liver transplant in the past year
you have had graft-versus-host disease (a complication where donor cells attack your body) after transplant
you have active cancer, serious infection, or HIV
you have had more than one liver transplant or multiple organ transplants
your liver enzymes are more than twice the normal range

What participation looks like

You would attend outpatient visits at UCLA Medical Center over two weeks for conditioning treatment (special radiation and antibody infusions). On the final day, you would receive an infusion of donor cells. Over the next 10–12 months, you would have regular blood tests, imaging, and liver biopsies to monitor your transplant and measure donor cells in your blood. If everything goes well, your doctor would gradually reduce and eventually stop your anti-rejection medications while carefully watching for any problems.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 9, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

UCLA Health 200 Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, California