Utilising VAMS technology to monitor tacrolimus and creatinine
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Utilising volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS®) technology to monitor tacrolimus and creatinine concentrations in adult renal transplant patients
IRAS ID
322562
Contact name
Rosalyn Dunstan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 8 days
Research summary
Tacrolimus is a medicine given to try and stop rejection of a new kidney after transplant surgery. If you take too much your kidney may be damaged. If you do not take enough your risk of kidney rejection is increased.
Creatinine is a waste product made by the muscles and is normally removed from the body by the kidneys. If your kidney function gets worse, the creatinine level in your blood goes up and means your new kidney is not working properly.
It is important to monitor levels of tacrolimus and creatinine regularly, to keep your kidney as healthy as possible. It helps Doctors decide if they need to change the amount of tacrolimus that patients take.
The COVID pandemic has led to changes in how we manage our services. One of these changes is using a home blood collection device called Mitra®. Patients will have their usual blood samples collected by a trained phlebotomist and also prick their finger using a special tool and collect a blood sample on two small swabs.
The study will involve setting up a new method in an NHS laboratory to test tacrolimus and creatinine levels in blood collected in the normal blood tubes and with this new collection device, to see if the results are the same. If they are, patients will continue to collect a blood sample using the new devices and send it to the laboratory. This will save both patients and the NHS time and money as they will not have to travel to a hospital to have their bloods taken.
The study is anticipated to take 6 months to complete.REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/1599
Date of REC Opinion
13 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion