CompletedPhase IInterventional

Assessing donor kidneys and monitoring transplant recipients

This study is looking at new ways to check donor kidneys before they are transplanted and to keep an eye on them afterwards. Doctors currently use methods that sometimes involve taking a small sample of the kidney (biopsy). This research hopes to find out if special MRI scans can do a better job — safely and without needing invasive procedures like biopsies. Kidney transplants are the best treatment for severe kidney failure, but there aren't enough kidneys for everyone. Doctors are using more kidneys from donors who might be older or donated after their heart stopped. These kidneys can be a bit trickier to manage, so knowing more about their health is really important. The study wants to see if these MRI scans could help doctors make more informed decisions and improve care for people receiving a kidney transplant in the future.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Phase

Phase I

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

Start

12 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

12 May 2026

Adult kidney transplant recipients, living kidney donors and deceased donor organ offers.

What is this study about?

When someone has severe kidney failure, a kidney transplant can be life-changing, helping them live a healthier, longer life. However, there aren't enough donated kidneys to go around, which means many people have to wait a long time. To help more people, doctors are now sometimes using kidneys from donors who might be older or who donated after their heart had stopped. While this helps reduce waiting lists, these kidneys can sometimes be a bit more challenging, and it's harder to tell exactly how well they will work after a transplant. Some people might even need to go back on dialysis.

Currently, doctors don't have a perfect way to predict how well a donated kidney will work or to check on its health without doing tests that involve taking a small piece of the kidney (called a biopsy). This study wants to explore if advanced MRI scans could be a better option. MRI scans are safe and don't involve radiation. The main goal is to see if these special scans can give doctors useful information about the kidney's health both before it's transplanted and after the surgery. This could help them make better decisions and potentially improve transplant care in the future.

Ultimately, this research hopes to find a new, gentler way to assess kidneys that could lead to better outcomes for people needing a transplant. By understanding more about a kidney's health, doctors might be able to match kidneys more effectively and provide more personalised care, reducing the chance of problems after a transplant.

Key takeaways

Aims to improve kidney transplant care.
Uses safe MRI scans instead of invasive tests.
No change to your standard medical treatment.
Could benefit future transplant patients.
Taking part involves one or two MRI scans and data collection from routine records.
No radiation involved in MRI scans.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you are an adult aged 18 or over.

This study is for two groups of people: either you are a living kidney donor giving a kidney at Oxford University Hospitals, or you are a patient receiving a kidney transplant at Oxford University Hospitals, whether the kidney comes from a living donor or a deceased donor.

However, you wouldn't be able to join if you have certain medical conditions or if you cannot have an MRI scan (for example, if you are pregnant or have metallic implants that aren't MRI-safe). Also, if the transplant involves other organs at the same time as the kidney, you wouldn't be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you a living kidney donor at Oxford University Hospitals?
Are you receiving a kidney transplant at Oxford University Hospitals?
Are you able to have an MRI scan (e.g., no incompatible metal implants)?
Is your kidney transplant for a kidney only (not with other organs at the same time)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are a living kidney donor taking part in the study, it will involve one MRI scan of your donated kidney. This scan happens after the kidney has been removed during your surgery but before it is transplanted into the recipient. Other than this scan, there are no extra procedures or follow-up visits for you.

If you are receiving a kidney transplant and taking part, you will have one MRI scan of your new kidney about three months after your transplant surgery. This scan takes about an hour and is very safe, as it doesn't use radiation or any special dyes. We will also collect routine information from your medical records, like your blood and urine test results, for up to 12 months after your transplant. These are tests you would have anyway as part of your normal care, so you won't need any extra clinic visits.

It's important to know that all MRI scans in this study are for research purposes only. They will not change the medical decisions your doctors make about your care. The study aims to look at participants for approximately 12 months.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct medical benefits for you if you take part in this study. However, the information gathered could help doctors improve how they check and monitor donor kidneys in the future, which might benefit other transplant patients. MRI scans are generally very safe and don't use radiation, but some people find the scanner noisy or feel a bit enclosed. Very occasionally, an MRI might show something unexpected. If anything medically important is found, a doctor will review it, and you would be told. There will be no extra surgery, injections, or changes to the standard care you receive as part of this study. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Oxford Transplant Centre, Oxford University Hospitals
City only
Oxford, England

Common questions

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures inside your body. It's safe and doesn't use X-rays or radiation.

Will taking part change my normal treatment?

No, taking part in this study will not change your normal kidney transplant surgery or the medical care you receive afterwards. All study scans are for research only.

Is the MRI scan painful?

No, the MRI scan is not painful. You just need to lie still inside a large machine. Some people find it noisy or feel a bit closed in, but you can usually listen to music.

What if the MRI scan finds something unexpected?

If the MRI scan shows anything unexpected that might be medically important, a doctor will look at it, and you will be informed.

Who is running this study?

This study is being run by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with help from the University of Oxford and the University of Nottingham.

How to find out more

Maria Kaisar

maria.kaisar@nds.ox.ac.uk +44 1865223872 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.