A CHLA research team found that socio-economic factors like family support, employment status, patient age, race, and language spoken can impact clinical outcomes. Children with limited social support systems and working caregivers have worse outcomes.
A new US-Candidate Risk Score (US-CRS) predicts mortality in adult heart transplant candidates, improving upon the current system. The model combines clinical and laboratory measurements, including molecular markers associated with liver and kidney failure.
A team of researchers from Texas Heart Institute and Baylor College of Medicine have made a significant discovery about the underlying molecular cell states within transplanted pediatric hearts. They found that donor-derived tissue-resident macrophages are crucial for graft acceptance, but their loss leads to allograft failure.
A study published in Transplantation Proceedings found an association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and increased mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. Patients with MASH had a higher risk of death compared to those without, highlighting the importance of early identification.
A ground-breaking study published in Nature Communications sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying the virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus, specifically focusing on the crucial role of mycotoxin gliotoxin production. The research team identified pivotal roles played by GliT oxidoreductase and GtmA methyltransferase in the sel...
A Learning Health System model is being developed to increase organ donation and reduce disparities in access to transplantation. The project, led by Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, will use data tools to track progress and improve equity in organ donation across the US.
Transplanting older organs from donors accelerates aging in younger recipients, leading to impaired physical capacity and cognitive decline. Senolytic treatments have shown promise in reducing these effects by inhibiting senescence-associated factors.
A clinical trial by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found routine thyroid hormone intervention to be ineffective in preserving heart function and increasing organ availability for transplantation. The practice may even cause harm, prompting the authors to recommend halting its use.
A team of researchers developed a vaccine that stimulates regulatory T cells to suppress harmful immune cells, prolonging allograft survival in mice. This discovery identifies an analogous pathway in humans, suggesting potential treatment for autoimmune disorders and organ transplant patients.
Maintenance immunosuppressive drugs linked to increased COVID-19 hospitalization risk in solid organ transplant patients. Clinicians treating transplant recipients should consider these findings for epidemic-related decisions.
Engineers use module assembly to develop vascularized organotypic tissues with high cell density and well-organized vasculature. This approach enables the rapid generation of functional tissue substitutes with improved efficacy in treating diseases.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a novel app called the CHALF score to predict if a child with acute liver failure needs a transplant. The tool assesses liver failure risk on a scale of 5-60 and has been shown to accurately predict patient outcomes.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found live vaccinations safe and effective for children who have received liver or kidney transplants, offering protection against life-threatening conditions. The study showed high antibody levels and minimal adverse events following vaccination.
A new clinical trial has shown that infusing immune cells from living donors into recipients before transplantation may reduce the need for lifelong immunosuppressant medication. The treatment involves infusing donor-derived regulatory dendritic cells, which help the recipient's immune system distinguish between foreign and self-cells.
A new model developed by Cleveland Clinic researchers can more accurately prioritize patients waiting for a lung transplant, taking into account their disease severity and time on the waiting list. This approach may help reduce waitlist mortality for patients with end-stage lung disease.
A new study found that living donor liver transplant access optimizes the timing of transplant for older, frail cirrhosis patients. Patients with moderate to severe frailty, short stature, and low MELD scores benefited from LDLT, reducing waitlist mortality and improving post-transplant outcomes.
A novel study shows that Senolytics can prevent the transfer of senescence, a key mechanism of ageing, and associated physical and cognitive impairments in recipients of older donor organs. This breakthrough could lead to improved outcomes and increase organ availability for transplantation.
A new study found that islet transplantation significantly reduces the risk of kidney transplant failure and mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes. The study compared the long-term outcomes of patients who received an islet transplantation with those who underwent kidney transplantation and managed their diabetes with insulin alone.
Researchers analyzed data from 2005-2020 and found that 10-year conditional survival was similar between biventricular and most single-ventricle CHD patients. Biventricular CHD patients also showed better 10-year survival compared to non-CHD heart transplant recipients.
Research reveals that heart transplant recipients from economically disadvantaged areas are at a greater risk of graft failure and mortality, with a 10% increased relative risk compared to those from non-distressed communities. The disparity in outcomes has widened since the implementation of the 2018 UNOS Heart Allocation policy.
The Texas Heart Institute has received a five-year, $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance organ bioengineering. The project aims to develop transplantable bioartificial hearts to combat end-stage heart failure.
Researchers investigating early liver transplantation for alcohol-associated liver disease aim to understand who benefits most and develop best practices. They will collect data on patient outcomes, biological samples, and audio recordings to identify factors influencing selection decisions.
A long-term study of nearly 2,400 solid organ transplant recipients found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduced hospitalization rates, with a 75% decrease in later omicron waves. Despite this, post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 viral infections remain common, highlighting the importance of vaccination in high-risk populations.
Researchers have found that mouse stem cells mimic their parent animals' cold resistance, generating energy differently at low temperatures. This discovery opens up new avenues for studying organ preservation and human hibernation using in vitro models.
A new study found that around one in five people with compromised immune systems have no COVID-19 antibodies after three or more vaccinations. The MELODY study identified specific groups at higher risk of not producing antibodies, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and booster vaccines.
A third COVID-19 vaccination dose significantly improved antibody responses in transplant recipients, offering better protection against variants. However, cross-protection was only partial, highlighting the need for multiple vaccine doses to maintain immunity in this vulnerable population.
Researchers identify key protein interactions that control the body's immune response during liver transplantation, leading to improved transplant survival rates. The study found that a specific communication pathway between CEACAM1 and TIM-3 proteins plays a crucial role in controlling the immune response.
In a groundbreaking procedure, Adriana Rodriguez received a dual-organ transplant, with her healthy liver transplanted into another patient to mitigate rejection risk. This innovative approach, known as HALT-D, demonstrates the potential for immunoprotection and has implications for highly sensitized patients requiring multiple organs.
The study found that the presence of microbiota increases tacrolimus levels in the blood, reducing the risk of rejection but also increasing side effects. Clinical tests revealed two specific types of bacteria associated with reduced tacrolimus dosages, and a link between Anaerostipes bacteria and diabetes prevention.
Researchers analyzed data from the first genetically-modified pig heart transplant into a human patient and found that several overlapping factors contributed to heart failure, including poor pre-transplant health, immunocompromised state, and use of intravenous immunoglobulin. The study provides crucial insight into how these factors ...
Researchers aim to prevent transplant rejection by targeting trained immunity, a newly explored part of the immune system. The five-year program will investigate how trained immunity drives rejection and develop tools for diagnosing and regulating it.
Researchers have identified specific cellular signatures for kidney transplant rejection, which could lead to the development of more effective anti-rejection therapies. The study's findings suggest that treatments often do not thoroughly eliminate T cells responsible for rejection, and new drug targets may be able to address this issue.
A study published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that race-neutral lung function interpretation could lead to more equitable access to lung transplants for Black patients. The researchers analyzed data from over 8,900 patients and discovered that a race-specific approach resulted in lower Lung Allocation Scores (LAS) ...
Researchers have developed a new manufacturing pipeline to simplify and advance high-value manufacturing of tissue-compatible organs, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This breakthrough aims to address the dire need for artificially engineered organs and tissue grafts, potentially saving thousands of lives in the UK.
A study found that most kidneys offered to transplant centers were given to lower-priority candidates, citing concerns about organ quality. This practice, known as 'list diving,' harms some patients and contributes to disparities in organ transplantation.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have successfully converted human stomach stem cells into insulin-secreting cells, offering a promising approach to treating type 1 and severe type 2 diabetes. The transplants reversed disease signs in mouse models, suggesting good durability.
Scientists have developed a new method to deliver genetic information to stem cells using nanoparticles coated with a specific polymer, enabling more efficient control over cellular differentiation. This innovation has the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regenerative medicine treatments.
A new study suggests that the US liver allocation policy remains biased towards certain regions, with a customized approach to equalize supply-to-demand ratios being recommended. The researchers developed a model that accurately predicts the change in a patient's organ-offer acceptance probability due to changes in policy.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh have discovered a type of immune cell that drives chronic organ transplant failure and uncovered pathways to improve patient outcomes. Blocking IL-15 signaling has been shown to prolong graft survival in mouse kidney recipients, offering a promising therapeutic target.
The funding will support preclinical research using genetically modified pigs, aiming to improve compatibility and reduce immune rejection in xenotransplantation. The goal is to enable human clinical trials and address the organ shortage crisis.
Researchers found that restoring function to donor hearts through taNRP can significantly increase the donor pool, leading to more transplantations. The study showed comparable survival rates between DCD and DBD heart transplants, with 97% of patients surviving for over 30 days.
Researchers at UC San Diego develop new bioink with iodixanol, reducing light scattering and enabling high cell density printing. The technique creates functional human-like tissues with improved resolution and perfusion systems for long-term culture.
Researchers found better survival rates at all points in time for pediatric patients with more serious heart disease, thanks to improved immunosuppression therapies, techniques, and postoperative care. A multidisciplinary team approach also contributed to the better outcomes.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that underperforming organ procurement organizations significantly impact the nation's organ supply. The research analyzed data from 13 hospitals and identified large gaps between potential and actual donors, highlighting the need for improved oversight and performance standards.
A new study found that a medication previously used to treat seizures can reprogram donor hearts to boost the production of beneficial enzymes, increasing storage time and improving post-transplant function. This technology could lead to a paradigm shift in extending heart storage and reducing primary graft dysfunction.
A study found that standardizing evaluation processes and expanding telehealth use can significantly improve access to kidney transplants for African Americans. The interventions also led to increased organ acceptance rates, but post-transplant survival outcomes were not statistically significant.
A recent UK trial found that treating patients with transplant-rejecting antibodies did not reduce transplant failure rates. The OuTSMART trial tested two groups of over 2000 transplant patients and found no significant difference in failure rates between those who received oral drugs and those who followed standard care.
Researchers compared two methods of corneal transplant tissue preparation, finding the new DMEK EndoGlide technique to be safe and effective while providing a faster process. The study suggests this method may lead to better long-term outcomes for patients with Fuchs' dystrophy.
A recent study found that patients treated at centers that don't perform transplants have a 79% higher odds of being denied bridge-to-transplant designation. This change could exacerbate existing disparities in access to heart transplantation, according to the research team.
Researchers have created a humanized mouse model that can predict the best match for a living organ donor and detect early signs of transplant rejection. The model uses a combination of HLA-G and B regulatory cells to identify patients who may need less immunosuppressive therapy.
A new analysis by Cedars-Sinai investigators shows that similar levels of COVID-19 antibodies are reached over an extended period of time in different population groups. Individuals with autoimmune diseases and solid organ transplant patients experience lower long-term antibody levels.
A new system will prioritize medical needs over geographical location for lung transplant candidates. The change is expected to reduce waitlist mortality and improve post-transplant survival.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a novel approach to prevent antibodies from triggering immune rejection of engineered therapeutic and transplant cells. By using a decoy receptor, they can capture the antibodies and take them out of circulation before they can kill the therapeutic cells.
A University of Michigan-led study found most heart transplant center websites are written at a college junior's reading level, making them difficult for patients to understand. Only 56% offered resources for non-English speakers, with the mid-Atlantic region performing poorly.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that organ donations and transplants increase by 21% during the week of large motorcycle rallies, with 26% more transplant recipients per day. The surge in donations does not alleviate the critical shortage of donor organs, highlighting the need for improved safety protocols.
A recent study found that American transplant centers and organ procurement organizations were 5% less likely to choose organs from 70-year-old donors compared to those who were 69. This bias, known as left digit bias, has significant implications for the availability of deceased donor organs
Researchers have discovered how a new class of drugs can inhibit the complement system, which causes damage to the body in some cases. These findings pave the way for further optimization of such inhibitors, potentially leading to novel therapeutic strategies for treating autoimmune diseases.
A team of researchers is developing a new method to evaluate the viability of donor kidneys using optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning technology. OCT scans provide a more complete view of the organ's overall functional capacity, allowing for better matching with transplant patients. The goal is to increase kidney availability a...
A multistate study found that mRNA COVID vaccines were less effective in immunocompromised adults, with protection rates ranging from 34% to 71% after multiple doses. The study emphasizes the importance of non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as masks and antibody treatment, for additional protection against severe COVID-19.
The University of Missouri has earned an $8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to expand its National Swine Resource and Research Center. The center will support research using genetically modified pigs to study human diseases, with a focus on therapies that can be translated from pig models to humans.