Efficacy of pHA130 Hemoadsorption on Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins and Quality of Life in Kidney Failure (PHOENIX)

June 14, 2026 updated by: Wenge Li, MD, PhD, China-Japan Friendship Hospital

A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial of HAHD With pHA130 Cartridge vs. Conventional High-Flux HD for Clearance of Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins and Quality of Life Improvement in Kidney Failure.

Patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) face a high risk of cardiovascular mortality and reduced quality of life. Conventional high-flux hemodialysis (HD) is the standard of care but has limited efficacy in clearing middle-molecular and protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs). The accumulation of these toxins is associated with adverse long-term outcomes.

This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of the pHA130 hemoadsorption cartridge, which utilizes a modified resin for enhanced PBUT adsorption, when combined with hemodialysis (HAHD). This is a prospective, open-label, multi-center, randomized controlled trial involving 100 MHD patients. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the HAHD group (receiving one HAHD session using the pHA130 cartridge and two standard HD sessions weekly) or the Control group (receiving three standard HD sessions weekly).

The primary objective is to assess the reduction in serum indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresol sulfate (PCS) levels from baseline to 12 months. Secondary objectives include evaluating changes in quality of life (KDQoL-SF, MMSE), the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC), the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), all-cause mortality, and safety profiles. This trial aims to determine if integrating long-term HAHD therapy can optimize blood purification strategies for the MHD population.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), face a high burden of cardiovascular disease and significantly impaired health-related quality of life. Traditional hemodialysis (HD) and hemodiafiltration (HDF) are effective at clearing small water-soluble molecules, but their efficacy in removing protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs)-such as indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS)-is notably limited. The accumulation of PBUTs is strongly associated with vascular calcification, increased cardiovascular mortality, and severe symptoms like uremic pruritus.

Hemoadsorption combined with hemodialysis (HAHD) has emerged as a promising strategy to address this gap. The novel pHA130 hemoadsorption cartridge features a modified resin with micro-controlled positive charges, enhancing its targeted adsorption capacity for PBUTs through electrostatic, hydrophobic, and molecular sieving mechanisms. In vitro studies have shown IS and PCS clearance rates exceeding 90%.

The PHOENIX trial is a prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy and safety of the pHA130 cartridge in MHD patients. Following a 4-week run-in period, eligible participants will be randomized 1:1 into two arms:

Experimental Group (HAHD): Receives high-flux HD twice a week and HAHD once a week. During HAHD, the pHA130 cartridge is placed in series before the high-flux dialyzer.

Control Group (HD): Receives conventional high-flux HD three times a week.

The primary endpoint is the percentage reduction in serum IS and PCS concentrations from baseline to 12 months. Secondary endpoints include changes in health-related quality of life (assessed by KDQoL-SF) and cognitive function (assessed by MMSE), progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) measured by Agatston score, incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), all-cause mortality, and safety metrics. The results of this study aim to provide robust evidence for optimizing blood purification strategies and improving long-term outcomes for patients with end-stage renal disease.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
100

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Shimin Jiang, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age > 18 years.
  • On maintenance hemodialysis for > 3 months.
  • Receiving hemodialysis 3 times per week, 4 hours per session.
  • Standard Kt/V ≥ 1.2.
  • Voluntarily participates and provides written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Known allergy to the dialyzer or hemoperfusion device.
  • Platelet count < 60×10⁹/L.
  • Serum albumin < 30 g/L.
  • 24-hour urine output > 200 ml.
  • Inability to achieve a blood flow rate ≥ 200 ml/min.
  • Coagulation disorders, severe bleeding tendency, or active bleeding.
  • Pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure < 60 mmHg.
  • Active malignancy.
  • Active infection, or severe, critical illness of cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or nervous systems.
  • Planned living-donor kidney transplant within the next 6 months.
  • Current participation in another interventional clinical study, or participation within the past 3 months in an interventional study that may interfere with the present study (e.g., fecal microbiota transplantation); or use of intestinal microecological regulators such as probiotics.
  • History of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, malignant arrhythmia, cardiac or peripheral vascular surgery, or cerebrovascular accident within the past 8 weeks.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: HAHD Group
Participants assigned to this group will receive a combination of hemodialysis (HD) and hemoadsorption (HA) therapy.
Device: pHA130 Hemoadsorption Cartridge
Following a 4-week run-in period,patients receive High-flux hemodialysis (HD) twice a week and combined HAHD once a week. During the HAHD session, the pHA130 hemoadsorption cartridge is placed in series with a high-flux dialyzer. Each treatment session lasts for 4 hours.
Active Comparator: HD Group
Participants assigned to this group will receive standard maintenance hemodialysis therapy.
Device: High-flux Hemodialyzer
Patients receive conventional high-flux hemodialysis (HD) three times a week. Each treatment session lasts for 4 hours.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Reduction Ratio from baseline in Serum Indoxyl Sulfate (IS) and p-Cresol Sulfate (PCS) Concentration
Time Frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 Months
Percentage reduction in serum IS and PCS concentration from baseline after 12 months of treatment, measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 Months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
Time Frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 Months
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF). The KDQOL-SF scores range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. A higher score indicates a better health-related quality of life.
Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 Months
Change from baseline in Cognitive Function
Time Frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 Months
Cognitive function is assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The MMSE total score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 30. A lower score indicates more severe cognitive impairment (i.e., a higher score reflects better cognitive function).
Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 Months
Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC)
Time Frame: Baseline, 6, 12 Months
Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) progression is assessed by measuring the change in the Agatston score using Computed Tomography (CT) scans. The Agatston score has a minimum value of 0, with no defined maximum upper limit. A higher score indicates a greater burden of coronary artery calcification and a higher cardiovascular risk.
Baseline, 6, 12 Months
All-Cause Mortality
Time Frame: Up to 12 Months
Number of deaths from any cause during the study period.
Up to 12 Months
Incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACEs)
Time Frame: Up to 12 Months
MACEs are defined as a composite of non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and cardiovascular death.
Up to 12 Months
Incidence of Adverse Events
Time Frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 Months
Safety will be evaluated by monitoring and recording the incidence, severity, and relationship to the intervention of any adverse events (AEs) or serious adverse events (SAEs) throughout the study period.
Baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 Months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
China-Japan Friendship Hospital

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Zhuhai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Wenge Li, MD, China-Japan Friendship Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 14, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 18, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 18, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 14, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2025-KY-177-1

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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