One of the hallmarks of a premier transplant
center is its participation in clinical research.
But what does that mean for transplant recipients
who consent to participate in the use of experimental
drug formulas and protocols? For Joseph Pacio
of Ringwood, N.J., it means maintaining a transplanted
kidney that most likely would have been rejected
if he was not taking one of these advanced medications.
Mr. Pacio received a kidney donated by his cousin in June 2001.
He immediately joined one of several drug trials being conducted
at the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal and Pancreas Transplant
Centers. Usually transplant recipients take a combination of three
medications to prevent their bodies’ natural reaction to
reject the transplanted organ. Mr. Pacio is unique in that he takes
only two. He suffered a severe reaction to one of the traditional
immunosuppressive drugs, and, therefore, must rely on a highly
unusual protocol of one traditional drug plus one advanced drug. “The
fact that Mr. Pacio has maintained the transplanted kidney under
these conditions is a good indication that the new drug is remarkably
effective,” explains Meg Caputo, R.N.,
one of three Transplant Research Coordinators at the Saint Barnabas
Renal and Pancreas Transplant Center.
“I’m very lucky to be part of this drug study,” says
Mr. Pacio. “My cousin’s kidney continues to function.
I’ve had no side effects and I feel healthier than ever.”
“The newer medications currently under study are very promising
for preventing organ rejection and carry fewer side effects than
traditional drugs,” agrees Carmen Flores, R.N.C., Post-Transplant
Coordinator at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center’s Renal
and Pancreas Transplant Center. “Our patients
are benefiting from the use of drug formulas that may not be available
on the market for up to seven or eight years.” Their
overall health is scrutinized more closely than other recipients
as well. It means more visits to the transplant center for tests
and examinations, but patients are not charged for these and sometimes
receive a small monetary incentive to cover their transportation
costs or other personal expenses related to the additional visits. “The
pharmaceutical companies provide the trial drugs free of charge
which also eases the patient’s financial burden,” notes
Ms. Flores.
“Consenting to participate in a clinical drug trial requires
great trust on the part of patients and their families,” says
Ms. Caputo. “We have built a strong rapport with our patients
because the entire team is here to answer their questions and allay
any fears or misconceptions they may have.”
 – Joseph Pacio is one of a growing
number of transplant patients taking new immunosuppressive drugs
at Saint Barnabas.Here he is shown with Research Coordinator
Christie Rice, R.N.
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