3C website Frequently Asked Questions

If I take part in the 3C study will this increase my chances of getting a kidney transplant?

No. Your participation is entirely voluntary and will not affect the decision your doctors make about transplantation.

What if I decide not to continue in the study?

Your participation is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw at any time. There are 4 levels of withdrawal:

1. No study treatment: you may wish to stop your study treatment, but be willing to attend study visits. We would advise you to do this in consultation with your doctor so they can arrange other suitable treatment.
2. No further contact: you would no longer attend study visits and we would not contact you directly. We would still have your permission to retain and use information provided previously, and to obtain and use further information from your health records.
3. No further access: we would not contact you or obtain further information from your health records in the future. We would still have your permission to use the information provided previously.
4. No further use: in addition to the above, any information collected previously would no longer be available to researchers.

What do I need to do to withdraw from the study?

Please contact the coordinating centre. You can do this by:

• Mail: The 3C Study, CTSU, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LF

What if I agree to take part and I change my mind about the treatment I am allocated to?

If you change your mind you should discuss it with your transplant team. The “induction” treatments are given within the first few days after transplantation so once given it is not possible to change to an alternative. However, the “maintenance” treatments are taken on a daily basis and it would be possible to change these on discussion with your transplant team.

What if I have side effects with the treatment I am allocated to? Can I change to the other treatment group?

It is possible to change your treatment if you and your transplant team decide that is what is in your best interests.

I would like to receive Campath but what if I am randomized to receive the standard treatment?

If you would definitely like to receive one or other of the study treatments it would not be sensible to participate in the trial. You could discuss your wishes with your transplant team and they could treat you as is considered best. Not all transplant centres use Campath routinely for kidney transplantation so it may not be possible to receive this outside of the trial.

I am happy to take part in the first part of the study but I do not want to be randomised to sirolimus. Can I take part in the first part of the study only?

We would ideally like you to be willing to participate in both parts of the study. Of course, if you change your mind after entering the study you are free to withdraw at any time.

Why do you want to know about any serious illnesses I may have following my transplant?

In order to assess the long-term benefits of the treatments being tested it is important we get detailed information about your health so that we can compare the effects of the study treatments reliably over a long period of time.

How can I find out if I can take part in the study if I am offered a kidney transplant?

You should contact your local transplant centre and ask them if they are participating. To date, the majority of the kidney transplant units in the UK are participating in the 3C Study.