WELCOME!

THANK YOU for taking the time to learn about the "APOL1 Long-term Kidney Transplantation Outcomes Network" (APOLLO) study. The APOLLO study is focused on the apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) in kidney transplantation; specifically, variants in the gene from living and deceased kidney donors and kidney transplant recipients. Please scroll to the bottom on the page and click on the links to view flyers that provide information on what genes are, APOL1 and the APOLLO study.

What is APOLLO?

APOLLO is a national study paid for by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Investigators are prospectively enrolling eligible living kidney donors and recipients of kidney transplants from living & deceased donors who are being treated at nearly all kidney transplant programs in the continental United States including Puerto Rico.

Investigators work closely with the APOLLO Community Advisory Council (CAC). The CAC is composed of volunteers with self-reported recent African ancestry who are living kidney donors, kidney transplant recipients and family members of those groups. Their charge is to advise APOLLO investigators on policy and practice matters arising from the study. The CAC bridges the African American community with APOLLO investigators and the NIH. Members of the CAC participated in the design of the study and will continue to provide guidance and insight from the African American community's perspective regarding the conduct of the research until completion.

Who are APOLLO participants?

APOLLO participants include African American living kidney donors and recipients of an eligible kidney transplant (i.e. from a living or deceased donor with recent African Ancestry. These APOLLO participants can receive their study-related (research) APOL1 genetic test results, if they wish. Health care for living donors and recipients will not be altered by participation in the APOLLO study and do not require any follow-up visits.

In addition, deceased donor next-of-kin (NOK) can receive study-related (research) APOL1 genetic test results from their loved ones.  These NOK are not in the APOLLO study and they are not participants. They can receive their loved one's APOL1 gene test result, if they wish.

It is important to know:

• APOL1 gene test results are for research purposes only. Results are not intended for clinical use and will not be placed in the medical record.
• APOL1 gene test results will be ready approximately 3-4 years after a participant is enrolled.
• When results become available, APOLLO participants will be contacted by the APOLLO Coordinating Center and asked whether they want to receive their result. The deceased donor NOK will be contacted by their local Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) at that time and asked if they want to receive the results from their loved one.
• APOLLO participants and deceased donor NOK are encouraged to check the APOLLO website regularly for study-related updates, including availability of genetic test results.

More Information

The APOLLO Community Advisory Council in conjunction with study investigators developed informational documents, should you request your Individual Research Results and an education video.

1. For general information related to Living Kidney Donors & Kidney Transplant Recipients and whether to request your genetic results, click here.
2. For general APOLLO study information for Deceased Donor Next of Kin and whether to seek genetic results, click here.
3. For general information from our APOLLO study video, click here.