Articles tagged with Organ Transplantation
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.
Researchers found a drastic decrease in bacterial abundance on the skin of patients with graft-versus-host disease, while an increased occurrence of staphylococci was observed. This discovery may lead to improved treatment measures for GVHD, which affects approximately 30-70% of stem cell transplant recipients.
A national US kidney disease registry found that 60% of participants were unaware of their kidney function level, hindering clinical trial recruitment. The National Kidney Foundation Patient Network aims to address this issue through real-world data collection and patient-centered research.
In a new study, researchers found that immune T cells lacking the key transcription factor Satb1 are more susceptible to suppression by regulatory T cells, leading to transplant tolerance. The study provides insight into the mechanism behind transplantation tolerance and may lead to the development of new immunosuppression regimens.
A new study identified a remdesivir-resistant version of COVID-19 in two kidney transplant patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs. The virus developed the V7921 gene mutation, which allows it to resist antiviral therapy, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and potential development of additional treatments.
A new study published in the Journal of Hepatology found that living donor liver transplants can reduce waitlist time and deaths in Western countries. Long-term outcomes were excellent despite relatively low use of this procedure, with high patient survival rates and similar mortality risk among three countries.
In the UK, both eligible organ donors and actual organ donations decreased by around 30% during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion of eligible donors who proceeded to donation remained relatively constant.
Researchers have developed a model mouse embryo that has beating hearts, foundations for a brain, and all the organs in a mouse body. This breakthrough could help understand why some embryos fail and provide insights into repairing synthetic human organs.
The TMDU research team successfully transplanted a mini organoid into a patient with Ulcerative Colitis, showing potential for a radical cure. The treatment uses the patient's own cells and minimally invasive colonoscopy, reducing transplant rejection risk and laparotomy needs.
A proof-of-concept study developed three machine learning models to predict posttreatment recurrence in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The models achieved high accuracy using imaging data alone, while combining clinical data did not significantly improve performance.
A new study published in Pediatric Transplantation found that pediatric kidney transplant patients have better long-term outcomes when their kidney comes from a living donor. The study analyzed data from the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network database and compared the rates of graft failure and death among children who received k...
Researchers at the University of South Australia have discovered that combining anti-rejection medication with immune checkpoint inhibitors can significantly reduce the risk of organ rejection and eliminate cancer cells in a quarter of patients. The study involved 22 patients with renal transplants and incurable locally advanced or met...
Researchers develop new method to preserve organs by freezing them partially, allowing for longer storage duration and improved organ matching. This breakthrough could lead to more successful transplants and increased organ availability.
A study by researchers from the University of Chicago reveals that bacteria in donated organs complicate the immune response after transplantation. The findings show that immune responses against commensal bacteria add to the rejection of the organ, reducing the effectiveness of immunosuppressive drugs and causing damage to the graft.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that Black children who have stroke after heart transplant are more than three times as likely to die compared to their white counterparts. The researchers analyzed data from 8,224 children who received cardiac transplants between 1994 and 2019.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine conducted a groundbreaking xenotransplant surgery, implanting a genetically modified pig heart into a 57-year-old patient with terminal heart disease. The patient survived for two months with a strong functioning heart showing no obvious signs of rejection.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery found that lung transplant recipients have a standardized mortality rate approximately five times higher than nonhospitalized adults. The main causes of death include rejection of the new organ, pneumonia, and infections.
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine may be essential for kidney transplant patients in Japan to prevent severe disease and infection. Researchers found that only a third of patients developed sufficient antibodies after two doses, highlighting the need for additional protection.
A team of researchers at University of Zurich successfully transplanted a human liver that was treated in a machine, paving the way for a potential solution to the global organ shortage. The liver was preserved for three days outside the body using a custom-made perfusion machine.
A new virtual biopsy using cardiovascular magnetic resonance has been proven safe and effective in detecting signs of heart rejection in heart transplant patients. The non-invasive procedure reduces complications and hospital admissions compared to traditional invasive biopsies.
Researchers found that liver transplants from drug overdose donors increased by 26% during the pandemic, while overall solid organ transplant use from overdose donors rose by 31.2%. This trend suggests that a surge in organ donations from overdose deaths helped stabilize liver transplant numbers despite COVID-19 disruptions.
Researchers compared SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers after Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in immunosuppressed patients. The study found differing antibody responses among these individuals, who have decreased immune responses to standard vaccines.
Researchers have developed a novel biomaterial that promotes immune tolerance and allows islets to survive after transplant without the need for long-term immunosuppression. This breakthrough enables patients with type 1 diabetes to control their blood sugar levels without lifelong medication.
A study found that pediatric transplant patients attend on average less than one appointment per year after transferring to adult care, resulting in longer hospital stays and poorer health outcomes. Maintaining regular appointments is crucial for continued transplant success, according to the researchers.
Researchers aim to improve pediatric heart transplant outcomes by identifying how certain drugs work and developing new medications to prevent damage to transplanted hearts. The studies will focus on a recently identified population of immune cells, MAIT cells, to adjust medication dosages and minimize side effects.
A new study found that Black kidney transplant recipients exhibit a faster clearance rate of tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive drug. The study suggests that considering both sex and race when dosing tacrolimus may reduce adverse effects and enhance transplant outcomes.
A study of 309 people with long COVID found that fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of sense of smell were the most persistent symptoms. The research also revealed that factors such as history of hospitalization, diabetes, and body mass index increased the risk of developing Long COVID.
A new study shows that three doses of mRNA vaccine provide substantially greater protection against severe COVID-19 for immunosuppressed transplant patients. Boosters appear to increase effectiveness, with a regimen of two doses only 29% effective and three doses 77% effective in preventing hospitalization.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology are pushing through technical barriers in organ printing by leveraging decades-old technique and computational modeling. The team aims to create any type of organ at any time, including skin on an open wound, using microfluidic bio-printing.
The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases finds organ donation from COVID-19 patients is safe and does not transmit SARS-CoV-2. Recipients with asymptomatic infections are also now eligible for transplant, but must be triple-vaccinated.
Organ donation from dying COVID-19 patients appears to be safe and does not infect recipients with SARS-CoV-2. The study found all 6 abdominal organs had stable graft function and no unexpected rejection occurred.
Research in the Journal of Hepatology suggests that COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to cause liver injury, but liver transplant patients may experience delayed care due to the pandemic. The study found that vaccinated patients with liver disease had a lower antibody response compared to healthy patients.
The American Society of Transplant Surgeons' COVID-19 Strike Force recommends vaccinating patients on the organ transplant waiting list. This move aims to improve patient safety and reduce transmission risks during the pandemic.
A cost-effectiveness analysis found that adherence promotion programs like MAPS reduce costs and improve outcomes for adolescent kidney transplant recipients. Strategies with similar costs to MAPS can still be cost-effective if they decrease rejection episodes by a small amount.
Young adults are disproportionately excluded from kidney transplantation, with only 1.8% of Black and 4.4% of Hispanic patients receiving the treatment compared to 10.9% of White patients within this age group. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.
A human polyomavirus (HPyV9) has been identified as a cause of severe skin rash and subsequent organ failure in solid organ transplant recipients. Routine testing for the virus is now recommended to prevent such cases, with the use of a new technique called VirCapSeq-VERT.
A team of researchers at Kumamoto University successfully created complex 3D kidney tissue in the lab using mouse embryonic stem cells. The breakthrough could lead to advances in kidney research and potentially even transplantable organs.
A new study aims to improve antibody responses in kidney and liver transplant recipients to COVID-19 mRNA vaccine doses, exploring the impact of reduced immunosuppressive medication. The CPAT-ISR trial will enroll up to 400 adults with a history of organ transplants and evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully transplanted a kidney from a COVID-19 donor, demonstrating that healthy kidneys from such donors can be safely transplanted. The recipient has shown no signs or symptoms of the virus and has excellent kidney function since the transplant.
Scientists have discovered families of proteins that can predict liver transplant rejection, allowing for early detection and modification of immunosuppression. The Blood Proteoform Atlas outlines over 56,000 protein molecules associated with immune cell proteins that change with rejection.
A national analysis of lung transplantations performed in the US between August 2020 and September 2021 shows that 7% of lung transplants were performed to treat COVID-19-related lung damage. The study suggests that lung transplantation may be a safe option for select patients with severe, irreversible lung damage.
UAB surgeons successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead human recipient, testing safety and feasibility in a novel human preclinical model. The experiment showed that the xenograft perfused normally and maintained vascular integrity, paving the way for potential treatment of thousands with organ failu...
Researchers at UAB successfully transplanted genetically modified pig kidneys into a brain-dead human, demonstrating the feasibility of xenotransplantation. The kidneys functioned for 77 hours without immediate rejection, paving the way for potential treatment of thousands suffering from kidney failure.
A recent study published in Transplantation Direct highlights the increased risk of death from cancer and infection for kidney transplant patients. Focusing on lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, and diabetes management can improve long-term outcomes for these patients.
A recent study found that the number of stage 3 AKI kidneys transplanted in the US has increased significantly over the last decade, yet 44% are still discarded. This highlights the need for further efforts to optimize the use of these organs and reduce waste.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive immuno-CRISPR assay to detect acute kidney rejection in urine, potentially allowing for early diagnosis without invasive biopsy. The test uses CRISPR/Cas12a gene editing technology to identify biomarkers of rejection, such as CXCL9, with improved sensitivity compared to existing methods.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people with immune dysfunction, such as HIV infection or rheumatoid arthritis, had a higher rate of COVID-19 breakthrough infections after vaccination. These individuals also experienced worse outcomes compared to those without immune dysfunction.
A clinical trial will harness synthetic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to deplete immune B cells and plasma cells producing donor-specific antibodies, aiming to achieve a compatible kidney match for patients with pre-existing antibodies. The NIH-funded study, led by Penn Medicine, intends to begin enrolling patients in 2022.
A recent study published in CJASN found that patients who undergo retransplantation after a failed first kidney transplant have a longer average survival time compared to those on dialysis. The study analyzed data from 2,346 adults and showed that retransplantation resulted in an additional 5.8 months of life expectancy.
Despite receiving three vaccinations, kidney transplant patients have inadequate cellular and humoral protection against SARS-CoV-2, with around 90% showing little to no protection. Researchers are now investigating the efficacy and safety of a human antibody cocktail in these patients.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have successfully performed their second xenotransplantation procedure using a genetically engineered pig kidney. The procedure, part of an ongoing study, demonstrates continued promise for these genetically engineered organs as a renewable source of life-saving gifts.
The research team aims to increase organ-transplant access for underserved minority patients by developing an integrated dynamic stochastic simulation-optimization model. This model will help patients decide whether to accept a less compatible kidney or wait for a more compatible one.
A study in Ontario, Canada found that in-person requests with physician involvement and trained donation coordinators significantly increase organ donation consent rates. Factors such as age, religion, and neighbourhood income also impact consent decisions.
Researchers identified molecular targets of transplant rejection and developed a laboratory procedure to quantify donor-reactive T cells in mice. The study's findings could lead to improved immune monitoring of clinical transplant recipients and potentially replace invasive procedures like biopsies.
A study at the University of São Paulo found that Torquetenovirus (TTV) titer is higher in people infected by SARS-CoV-2, suggesting it could be a biomarker for COVID-19 severity. TTV load correlates with disease progression and outcome, and its measurement may support diagnosis.
During the pandemic, registrations for alcoholic hepatitis and deceased donor liver transplants increased by over 50%, associated with rising alcohol sales. Alcoholic hepatitis can lead to permanent scarring and long-term damage if left untreated, highlighting the need for public health interventions around excessive alcohol consumption.
A new four-year study identifies appropriate ethical and policy guidance for translational xenotransplantation kidney clinical trials. The research team will develop recommendations and decision aids for transplant candidates, clinicians, and institutional review boards reviewing xenotransplantation protocols.
A team led by NYU Langone's Robert Montgomery successfully transplanted a genetically engineered pig kidney into a human body, marking a major step forward in xenotransplantation. The procedure, performed on September 25, 2021, used a GalSafeTM pig with the alpha-gal biomolecule removed to avoid rejection.
A national review of nocardia infection in kidney transplant patients found that those with compromised immune responses are more vulnerable to the opportunistic agent. Nocardiosis can lead to pneumonia and brain abscess, and screening is crucial, especially in combination with pneumonia symptoms.
A new locally acting treatment aims to reduce the severity of post-transplant ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) without affecting the immune system. The treatment targets specific neoepitopes exposed on injured donor organs, reducing the risk of organ rejection and improving transplant outcomes.