Articles tagged with Organ Transplantation
A report describes four transplant recipients who contracted rabies from a common donor, demonstrating the risk of transmission through solid organ transplantation. The cases highlight the importance of considering rabies diagnosis in rapidly progressive neurological diseases.
Researchers found that patient and organ survival rates in transplants involving organs from 'extreme' donors were similar to success rates with conventional donors. The studies suggest that pancreas donor criteria can be liberalized without adverse outcomes, potentially increasing the number of available organs for transplant.
A seven-year review of liver transplant recipients who received HBV positive and HCV positive organs found patient and graft survival rates comparable to those receiving livers from negative donors. The use of these organs increases the number available for transplantation while maintaining long-term results.
A new study found that a combination of immunosuppressive therapies significantly reduces non-cellular and humoral rejection in heart transplant recipients. The TAC/MMF group showed the lowest incidence of any treated rejection and improved side effects compared to other groups.
Children under five are most likely to die waiting for a liver transplant due to organ shortage. Living donor liver transplantation offers better graft and patient survival rates for pediatric patients.
Researchers have identified a biological pathway for a potent molecule, IL-10, that can delay rejection of transplanted organs by preventing blood-vessel deterioration. The study used rat models and found that a single muscular injection of IL-10 could provide long-term therapeutic effects.
A new study found that low concentrations of sodium nitrite prevent cell death in the hearts and livers of mice undergoing experimental heart attack and liver injury. The potent protective effect reduced dead tissue by 67% compared to control animals given nitrate.
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation has created new, comprehensive guidelines to help organ centers update their policies. The guidelines aim to bridge patients to transplant by offering pharmacological, surgical, and device-based interventions.
A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that infants with Type O blood can accept hearts from donors with Type A blood due to their immature immune system. This breakthrough allows for greater donor compatibility and more successful transplants.
A recent study published at the Central Surgical Association meeting found that success rates for kidney transplants are comparable regardless of donor and recipient age. The research suggests that using newer methods to match kidneys with recipients can increase organ availability for older patients.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that liver disease severity does not accurately predict quality of life, suggesting alternative methods should be considered for organ allocation. Patients with end-stage liver disease experience impaired quality of life, but this is not correlated with MELD scores.
A new immunosuppression protocol has significantly reduced the need for anti-rejection medications in intestinal transplant patients, resulting in a 96% one-year survival rate. The study showed that 69% of patients are taking a single dose of immunosuppression, and none experienced chronic rejection.
Researchers have discovered that tiny exosomes extracted from donor cells can capture recipient immune cells, promoting transplant tolerance by delivering antigen. This approach may provide a promising alternative to traditional immunosuppression therapies.
The NIAID has formed a clinical consortium to improve the success of organ transplants by identifying genetic factors and developing new immunosuppressive drugs. The consortium aims to minimize complications and increase long-term survival rates for transplant patients.
A new process, Organ Recovery Systems, preserves transplant tissues/organs at refrigerator temperatures and minimizes damage from ice crystals. This technique reduces toxicity of cryoprotectants and enables long-term storage, potentially increasing organ availability worldwide.
A study found that blacks were underrepresented on liver transplant waiting lists, with only 8.4% of the list being black despite 13.6% of the population being black. Blacks also had higher mortality rates while waiting for transplants and were less likely to receive transplants within 4 years compared to whites.
Lung transplant recipients with specific TLR4 gene variants experienced reduced acute rejection rates, suggesting a novel approach to preventing transplant rejection. Researchers believe this finding could lead to improved patient outcomes and survival rates.
The study showed that ganciclovir treatment lowers the risk of developing cancer and early organ rejection in kidney transplant patients. Ganciclovir offers dual benefits, extending patient life by reducing malignancy and improving graft survival with reduced rejection.
A new study found that a single daily dose of Valcyte is equally effective as three times daily Cytovene in preventing CMV in kidney transplant patients. This simplified regimen may improve care and quality of life for transplant recipients by reducing medication complexity.
A Phase II study found LEA29Y effective in preventing acute rejection, but showed significant improvements in kidney function, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels compared to cyclosporine therapy.
A new matching system allows use of kidneys from older, high-risk donors increasing the number of patients who can benefit from transplantation. Success rates are similar between younger and older recipients, paving the way for more elderly adults to receive kidney transplants.
The phase II clinical trial found that LEA29Y was as effective as cyclosporine in preventing acute kidney rejection, but had better kidney function and lower cholesterol levels. Patients treated with LEA29Y also showed improved cardiovascular risk profiles.
Data from over 35,000 organ recipients demonstrated improved patient and graft survival with CellCept-based treatment regimens. The studies found significant improvements in liver and kidney transplant outcomes, reducing infectious deaths and increasing graft survival rates.
Researchers found that liver dendritic cells express less TLR-4, a molecule that triggers immune activation, due to the constant exposure to LPS from gut bacteria. This mechanism may contribute to the liver's inherent tolerogenic potential and lower rejection rates in transplant patients.
The University of Pittsburgh's novel clinical protocol has shown promising results in reducing immunosuppressive medication use for lung transplant patients. With over a year of follow-up, the approach has led to improved one-year survival rates and fewer complications associated with traditional treatments.
A recent study found that undersized hearts can adapt by increasing in mass without affecting function or survival rates. This discovery could expand the heart donor pool to meet growing demand, with 3,490 people currently waiting for a transplant.
Researchers found that everolimus, when combined with cyclosporine and steroids, prevents transplant rejection and lowers risk of infection and complications more effectively than traditional anti-rejection therapy. A two-year study demonstrated the drug's improved safety and efficacy in preventing heart transplant rejection.
A new study further reinforces CellCept's cardioprotective profile, demonstrating lower rates of coronary artery disease in patients treated with CellCept compared to azathioprine. This finding could explain the superior survival benefits observed with CellCept.
A recent study found that mycophenolate mofetil reduces intimal thickening and improves long-term outcomes for heart transplant patients compared to azathioprine. The study used a site-to-site IVUS analysis of 196 patients, showing significantly less progression of vascular disease in CellCept-treated patients.
A study found that liver transplant recipients in small OPOs had a lower proportion of patients with high MELD scores compared to those in large OPOs. Despite this difference, patient survival rates were similar between the two groups.
The Pittsburgh NMR Center is developing novel non-invasive MRI methods to monitor organ function and detect allograft rejection. Researchers are also exploring magnetic resonance microscopy to track autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
A new US policy has reduced gaming in heart transplant waiting lists, but the competition for scarce organs still exists. The researchers found that before the rule change, heart transplant centers in competitive areas were more likely to list patients in the sickest category.
The study found that the UNOS rule change reduced transplant gaming behavior, but the competitive nature of organ allocation still poses a risk. By dividing patients into three status levels and requiring recertification, the new rules have made it more difficult for hospitals to exaggerate their patients' conditions.
The Roche Organ Transplantation Research Foundation has awarded 11 new grants totaling 2 million Swiss francs, focusing on the understanding of rejection responses and inflammation. The grants aim to improve long-term organ survival and help more people with solid organ transplants live longer and healthier lives.
A three-year grant supports a study to prevent organ rejection in recipients by developing new white blood cells compatible with donated organs. The average survival rate for grafts is approximately 90% within the first year, but less than 50% after 10 years.
Non-directed kidney donations have the potential to save thousands of lives, but raise important ethical considerations. Transplant centers are developing policies to evaluate and allocate these kidneys, addressing issues like allocation and donor expenses.
A new anti-rejection drug, CP-690,550, has shown promise in controlling the immune system without severe side effects. The Stanford team discovered the drug by targeting a specific pathway in immune cells, which may lead to its use in treating autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia discover a molecule, HLA-G, that helps keep immune cells immature and tolerant during pregnancy. This mechanism may be replicated to preserve transplanted organs and reduce rejection rates.
The Organ Transplantation Research Foundation (ROTRF) has received continued funding from Roche, a global healthcare leader. The foundation supports groundbreaking research in transplantation, aiming to improve the lives of people with transplanted organs.
Researchers successfully transplanted embryonic pancreatic tissue into rats with Type 1 diabetes, producing enough insulin to maintain normal blood-sugar levels. This breakthrough method has promising results and could potentially overcome the shortage of human organs for transplant.
Researchers are working on developing engineering tools to monitor breakups in tissues and organs, with the goal of improving storage methods for transplant tissues. The team aims to create systems that can safely store complex tissues and organs, which could lead to breakthroughs in disease treatment and expand organ availability.
A new technique uses interleukin-6 to store and transport fatty liver organs, potentially reducing damage and improving function after transplantation. The findings could increase the availability of liver transplants in the US, where approximately 40% of adults have fatty livers.
Researchers have successfully transplanted uteri into mice, paving the way for future womb transplants in humans. The study found that transplanted uteri can harbour pregnancies and rejection patterns are similar to other organs.
Researchers found that adding interleukin-6 to the preservative solution before transplantation significantly increased post-transplant survival of rats receiving organs with fatty degeneration. The treatment reduced cell death and improved liver function in steatotic livers, suggesting a promising strategy for addressing organ shortages.
A major study of over 7,000 living donor kidney transplant patients found that Neoral significantly improves three-year graft survival rates and prolongs the estimated graft half-life compared to tacrolimus. This suggests a clear advantage for Neoral in reducing the risk of transplant failure.
African-American kidney dialysis patients know about live donor transplants but may not discuss their wishes with healthcare providers, a Johns Hopkins study shows. Machine-preserving cadaveric kidneys improves early function after transplant and increases survival rates.
Researchers found a higher incidence of beneficial dendritic cells in weaned and nearly weaned liver transplant patients, compared to those on daily doses of anti-rejection drugs. This cellular profile is similar to that of healthy non-transplant patients, suggesting a possible test for predicting successful weaning.
Researchers have developed a new regimen for lung transplant patients that reduces the need for anti-rejection drugs. The protocol involves giving fewer pills less often over time, with results showing 18 out of 20 patients doing well on lower doses of one mainstay anti-rejection drug, tacrolimus.
A new organ preservation solution, Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketogluterate (HTK), has been shown to be more practical and easier to use than the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution for preserving livers before transplantation. The study found similar outcomes between HTK and UW in terms of initial organ function and clinical measures.
A new study published in Critical Care found that 70% of transplant doctors would consider accepting organs from poisoned patients. This increase in organ donation could save lives and address the global shortage of healthy organs available for transplant operations.
UF researchers found that patients who wait longer for a kidney transplant are more likely to experience poorer outcomes. The study showed that even those who receive kidneys from living donors may not reap the full benefits if they have been on dialysis for too long.
Researchers suggest using rapamycin to improve renal function and reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury in marginal kidney transplants. The study found that kidneys treated with cyclosporine fared worse than those treated with rapamycin, leading to restricted blood flow and poorer filtration.
Dendritic cells may play a key role in accepting transplanted organs, and researchers are exploring a cell-based strategy to induce tolerance. Studies in nonhuman primates suggest that certain types of dendritic cells can regulate the immune response and prevent rejection.
The Transplantation Society reiterates its stance against selling organs, adhering to ethical standards and laws that prohibit commercial transactions. The society's position is supported by organizations like the American Medical Association, which investigates financial incentives for organ donations.
A study of 42 female organ recipients found mostly successful pregnancies without birth defects, but lung transplant patients faced higher risks. Complications and health issues were more common in mothers with pre-existing health problems during pregnancy.
A new study shows that CellCept substitution of cyclosporine reverses renal toxicity, improving the life span of transplanted kidneys. 58% of patients on CellCept therapy had a reversal or stabilisation of their kidney function compared to 32% on cyclosporine.
The latest studies on hand transplants show that powerful drugs can prevent rejection while minimizing risks. Most patients experience only transient problems, which are easily corrected with treatment adjustments.
Researchers have made significant progress in developing tolerance to transplanted organs through innovative approaches. Studies show that patients can be weaned off immunosuppressive drugs within months after receiving living donor kidney or small bowel transplants, with some patients achieving complete drug-free status.
A new two-part therapy combining acyclovir with gradual reductions in immunosuppressive drugs has shown significant success in treating post-transplant lymphoma, with all patients achieving complete response and 82% maintaining it. The treatment stimulates the immune system to destroy EBV-infected cancer cells.
The Johns Hopkins team has successfully transplanted kidneys from incompatible donors using a filtering technique, achieving a 93% success rate. The patients underwent plasmapheresis treatments and medication to prevent antibody re-emergence, allowing them to receive organs from donors of any blood type.