Articles tagged with Organ Transplantation
The Ochsner Transplant Institute has performed its 10,000th organ transplant, reflecting decades of clinical excellence and innovative care. The milestone places the institution among an elite group nationally and highlights its commitment to advancing transplant medicine.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center used spatial transcriptomics to characterize acute rejection and response to immunomodulatory therapies following heart transplantation. The study linked cell-specific gene expression patterns to the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, a form of chronic rejection that limit...
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo developed strategies to overcome xenophagocytosis, which eliminates living donor cells in interspecies organ generation. By blocking this response, they significantly improved donor cell survival and generated rat pancreas in mice.
Researchers developed a new treatment strategy using the cancer medicine Teclistamab to reduce antibodies against potential transplants, improving transplant prospects for patients with unfavorable immunological profiles. The study successfully performed a kidney transplant in a patient who had been on the waiting list for over a decade.
An observational study found that early remdesivir treatment reduced the risk of all-cause graft loss and cardiovascular events in adult kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19. The study included 432 participants, with 177 receiving at least three days of remdesivir therapy.
Researchers at Terasaki Institute develop a wireless dual-compartment biochemical monitoring platform for real-time tracking of key biomarkers in perfusion fluid and bile during normothermic machine perfusion. The study shows improved interpretation of post-transplant outcomes with combined bile and perfusate data.
Macrophages are critical drivers of chronic allograft failure, with emerging strategies targeting key macrophage signaling pathways providing an important conceptual shift. Targeted therapies, such as inhibiting the purinergic pathway and mTOR/NF-κB pathway, show promise in preventing chronic rejection.
A team of University of Oklahoma researchers has developed a noninvasive imaging approach using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) to evaluate donor livers more comprehensively. This technology could help transplant teams make faster, more informed decisions about liver suitability for transplantation.
A new study by NYU Langone Health researchers found that nearly half of Americans with kidney failure who are referred for transplantation never begin the process required to be considered for a new organ. The study analyzed data from over 720,000 patients and found that those who were unmarried, had severe obesity, or lived in rural a...
NYU Langone Health has performed the world's first HIV-positive-to-HIV-positive lung transplant, expanding options for patients with limited donor availability. The successful surgery marks a significant milestone for the HIV-positive community and represents progress in creating equity in organ transplantation.
A new multicenter study suggests a novel, electronic health record–based marker can help clinicians identify transplant patients at high-risk for organ rejection due to non-adherence. The Medication Level Variability Index (MLVI) was used to flag adolescents and young adults at elevated risk following liver transplantation.
A new proactive treatment protocol, PACT, combines medication and frequent follow-up to prevent alcohol relapse after liver transplant. Researchers found a 0% heavy alcohol relapse rate among patients who followed the protocol, compared to a historical rate of approximately 25%.
A new study found significant regional differences in access to donor lungs for lung transplants in the US, with western states having lower availability. The revised lung allocation policy may exacerbate these disparities, prioritizing proximity to donors over patient needs.
Briana Dery, a 33-year-old woman from Michigan, underwent the rare procedure at Henry Ford Hospital in January 2026. The surgery involved removing her failed intestines and implanting a new one, followed by connecting it to a new kidney, making her the first person in Michigan to receive both transplants in a single operation.
A groundbreaking quadruple-organ transplant at UChicago Medicine has saved the life of a young woman with cystic fibrosis. The surgery, performed by a team of experts, successfully transplanted her liver, kidney, and two lungs, offering her a second chance at life.
Researchers summarize universal mechanisms of regulatory T cells in solid organ transplantation, enabling durable immune tolerance and reducing rejection. Gene-editing technologies create hypoimmunogenic Tregs for standardized, scalable availability.
A study published in JHLT Open found that remote patient monitoring can detect early health changes and support care decisions for lung transplant recipients. The system generated nearly 470 alerts, with most prompting changes in care, such as clinic visits or medication adjustments.
At the ISHLT meeting, experts discussed the use of robotic technology in lung transplantation, highlighting potential benefits such as improved recovery and expanded access to transplantation for frail patients. However, Dr. Hermann Reichenspurner presented counterpoints, emphasizing that current evidence does not demonstrate superior ...
Advances in pediatric heart care have increased survival rates, but a shortage of donor hearts means many children still die waiting. Experts urge a shift from 'perfect' donor hearts to carefully selected organs and technological innovations to expand the donor pool.
Experts at ISHLT's annual meeting explored how countries allocate heart transplants, with a focus on balancing competing priorities like saving the sickest patients and ensuring fairness. The discussion highlighted key differences in global allocation schemes, including France's data-driven model, which aims to prioritize patients base...
Experts weigh the pros and cons of an upper age limit for lung transplants, citing concerns over organ shortage and quality of life. Some argue that setting a hard age limit ignores biological variability and comorbidities, while others suggest increasing donor supply and utilization could solve the issue.
Recent AI tools offer surgeons assistance in complex decision-making by analyzing donor hearts and providing a data-driven approach. This could lead to increased efficiency in the donor process, reducing the likelihood of hearts going unused due to time constraints.
The number of pediatric lung transplants is expected to decline as highly effective therapies for cystic fibrosis reduce the need for transplantation. Complex cases with multi-system disease and severe cardiopulmonary compromise are on the rise, requiring highly specialized teams and close collaboration.
A Canadian nephrologist shared common-sense, patient-centered solutions to address inequities in organ transplantation. His team co-developed practical approaches, including culturally safe spaces, navigation support, and storytelling through videos featuring Indigenous patients.
A new global allocation system is being proposed to address inequities in organ allocation for heart transplants. The proposal aims to reduce disparities and ensure no viable donor heart goes unused globally.
A first-in-human trial shows that an infusion of immune cells derived from a donor's blood can prime the recipient's immune system to accept a donor liver, potentially reducing lifelong immunosuppression. Eight out of 13 participants achieved complete withdrawal of immunosuppression and remained off for more than three years.
A recent study from the Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen found that daytime liver transplants can be safely performed using prolonged hypothermic machine perfusion, with comparable post-transplant outcomes to traditional methods. This technique has increased flexibility for surgeons and improved patient care.
Researchers create living tissue at near-physiological cell density using a new bioprinting strategy called embedded 3D printing in a cell-dense suspension (EPICS). The method enables the precise fabrication of perfusable channels and dense cellular environments, mimicking real organs.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have found that disrupted lymphatic vessels may trigger chronic organ rejection in transplanted lungs and hearts. The study suggests that preventing hyaluronan buildup or restoring lymphatic drainage could prevent fibrosis and long-term damage.
Researchers developed a vascularized liver tissueoid-on-a-chip that recapitulates key structural, functional, and immunological features of human liver tissue. The platform enabled the study of liver regeneration and immune-mediated allograft rejection in a physiologically relevant human system.
The hospital achieved a 22-percent increase over its previous peak year, performing more pediatric liver and kidney transplants than any other in the nation. The team is also recognized as a leader in pediatric lung and heart transplantation, with exceptional post-transplant survival rates.
A new study offers hope that kidney transplant patients may one day have a more effective treatment regimen. The Phase 2 pilot study showed improved kidney functioning in all patients who completed the study, with no patients experiencing rejection due to antibodies produced by the immune system.
A team at UC San Diego is developing functional, patient-specific livers using 3D bioprinting and stem cell technology. The goal is to create 'made-to-order' livers grown from a patient's own cells, offering a safe alternative to transplantation that eliminates the need for donor organs.
A multidisciplinary team of world-leading experts is developing an off-the-shelf engineered product that could address liver failure in millions of patients. The ImPLANT project aims to create synthetic biology-based gene circuits in human induced pluripotent stem cells to drive cell differentiation into all required liver cell types.
Researchers identified the spleen as a key control center for transplant tolerance, triggering donor-specific regulatory T cells to calm the immune response. This targeted approach induces controlled, donor-specific state in T cells, preserving body's ability to fight infections while supporting long-term graft acceptance.
Gracie Greenlaw, an 11-year-old patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, undergoes the world's first pediatric heart and liver dual organ transplant at Children's Hospital Colorado. The groundbreaking procedure, performed by Dr. Megan Adams' team, aims to improve her quality of life by addressing long-term complications from her h...
Mayo Clinic researchers developed an AI-ECG model that accurately diagnoses advanced chronic liver disease, allowing for early intervention and potential lifesaving treatment. The study found the model detected twice as many cases as standard methods, highlighting the promise of AI in preventive care.
Despite challenges such as donor shortages and socioeconomic disparities, adult heart transplantation has achieved remarkable success in the US and Western Europe. The two regions have embraced different approaches to transplantation systems, shaped by cultural and political attitudes.
A multinational study found PSC prevalence among Asian IBD patients to be markedly lower than in Western countries, associated with more favorable clinical outcomes. The proportion of asymptomatic PSC cases has increased due to improved imaging modality detection, allowing for early-stage diagnosis and reduced liver transplantation rates.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in overcoming immune reactions behind human rejection of transplanted pig kidneys, paving the way for more successful clinical trials. The study reveals three major immune responses against the pig kidney and identifies potential biomarkers as early-warning systems for rejection.
A new study estimates that about 14% of adults worldwide have chronic kidney disease, with 1.5 million deaths in 2023. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent severe interventions like dialysis and transplantation.
A long-term study found that machine perfusion of deceased-donor kidneys improved transplant outcomes by preserving kidney function for up to 10 years after transplantation. The method has become the preferred organ preservation technique globally due to its superior results.
A new study in the Journal of Hepatology shows liver transplantation from MAiD donors yields similar survival rates as standard donation after circulatory death. This practice can significantly expand the donor pool, leading to more organs available for transplant and potentially saving thousands of lives.
Researchers aim to determine if biomarkers can identify adults at risk of developing interstitial lung disease (ILD), a chronic condition that causes inflammation and scarring in the lung tissue. The approach could lead to the development of new, better treatments with more tolerable side effects.
A pioneering case of pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation has been successfully demonstrated, with the genetically engineered porcine liver functioning for an extended period in a human recipient. The patient survived for 171 days despite complications such as xenotransplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.
A national registry has tracked nearly 4,000 patients with biliary atresia since 1989, showing that combined surgery and liver transplantation can extend survival well into adulthood. The study highlights the transformative power of nationwide data collection in reshaping treatment strategies.
Researchers at UBC have successfully transplanted an enzyme-converted kidney into a brain-dead recipient, showing promise for universal donor organs in transplantation. The breakthrough uses special enzymes to remove blood-type antigens, making it possible to use mismatched organs from deceased donors.
Heiko Yang, MD, PhD, has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to further research on his discovery of an earthworm-derived hemoglobin-like oxygen carrier. This substance has the potential to revolutionize organ perfusion by providing a shelf-stable alternative to donor blood.
UCLA researchers have identified two key proteins, HuR and CEACAM1, that act as protective switches to prevent damage in damaged livers. By boosting this protection, organs deemed unsuitable for transplantation could be made suitable for use.
The study found a significant reduction in mortality while waiting for a new heart, despite increased waiting times. Technological advances and improved healthcare practices are credited with the improvements.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina engineered a new type of immune cell that can precisely target and neutralize antibody-producing cells complicit in organ rejection. This strategy could level the playing field for patients with limited eligibility for organs due to high rejection rates.
A novel 3D culture method enables self-organization of precursor cell types into functional liver organoids capable of producing essential clotting factors. The breakthrough advances organoid-based therapies, drug testing, and disease modeling for liver diseases, including hemophilia A.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a method to coat Hepatic Progenitor Cells (HPCs) with natural sugars, making them stickier and increasing their ability to repair liver tissues. The coating does not harm the cells or stop them from working properly.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine examines pregnancy outcomes in women with kidney transplants who use assisted reproductive technology. The research found increased rates of hypertension and preterm birth, but no significant difference in live birth rates or two-year kidney transplant survival.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed pioneering therapies to prevent organ rejection without the need for immunosuppression. A recent phase 3 clinical trial found that 75% of participants were able to stop taking immunosuppressive medications for more than two years, with some patients staying off medication for over three years.
Scientists from Pusan National University discovered a genetic biomarker, FCGBP, that is strongly linked to bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and poor outcomes following lung transplantation. The finding may help identify high-risk patients and devise timely immunosuppressive treatments.
A national survey of 1,000 American adults found that stress (43%) and lack of sleep (39%) are major contributors to a short attention span. The study also identified digital devices as a significant factor, with 35% of respondents citing it as a contributing factor.
A new study reveals persistent inequalities in children's access to life-saving kidney transplants across the UK. Early disparities in ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and gender persist even after being placed on the waitlist.
A pioneering study has provided unprecedented insights into the immune response following pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation. Researchers mapped how human immune cells interact with pig kidney tissue, revealing critical early markers of rejection and potential intervention strategies.
A team of international scientists successfully 3D printed functional human islets using a novel bioink, paving the way for more effective and less invasive treatment options. The bioprinted constructs maintained their structure without clumping or breaking down and showed promising results in laboratory tests.