Articles tagged with Organ Transplantation
A new global study found a significant decline in solid organ transplants performed during the first wave of Covid-19 in 2020, with over 48,000 years of patient life lost. Kidney transplantation showed the largest reduction across nearly all countries.
A study of 20,304 kidney transplants found that black recipients and patients receiving kidneys from Asian donors had a higher risk of graft failure within seven years. The study suggests that improved access to organ donation among ethnic minority groups can improve long-term outcomes for all recipients.
A new approach called an immunobiological algorithm provides a comprehensive assessment of how a patient's immune system will react to tissue from each potential living donor. This method outperforms current HLA testing in identifying the best potential living donor, which could lead to improved organ transplant outcomes.
Ongoing acute kidney injury in deceased donor kidneys is linked to lower long-term graft survival. Notably, abnormal serum creatinine values during procurement also negatively impact graft outcomes.
Two studies report substantial reductions in COVID-19 infections and deaths among vaccinated organ transplant patients, with a lower risk of breakthrough infections compared to the general population. Vaccination is considered critically important for this high-risk group.
A new study found Black liver transplant recipients have lower survival rates than white or Hispanic patients, despite interventions aimed at narrowing the gap. The biggest factors contributing to this disparity are alcohol-associated liver disease and insurance type, with Black recipients being more likely to have Medicaid coverage.
The NIH has launched a pilot study to assess the antibody response of kidney transplant recipients to a third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The trial aims to determine if a third dose can overcome the immune suppression caused by lifelong immunosuppressive therapy in this population.
Researchers have developed a special polymer to coat blood vessels on transplanted organs, reducing rejection rates in mice by substantially diminishing immune system response. The breakthrough has the potential to eliminate the need for drugs that prevent organ rejection and improve transplant outcomes.
A recent study published in Transplant Infectious Disease found that COVID-19 vaccination provides strong protection against the virus for solid organ transplant recipients, with an almost 80% reduction in symptomatic cases. The study examined data from over 2,150 transplant patients and showed that nearly 70% of vaccinated patients re...
The new allocation system could result in reduced access to kidney transplants and longer wait times for patients in South Carolina. Researchers argue that the current system unintentionally worsens inequities and recommend improving access to transplant care.
A study by Elisa Cordero and colleagues identified key clinical indicators to detect COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients. These indicators enable personalized therapeutic measures to reduce mortality rates, particularly among older patients with respiratory failure or severe immunosuppression.
Researchers found that a third vaccine dose increased antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 in transplant recipients more than the standard two-dose regimen. The study suggests booster doses should be investigated for those who are immunocompromised to determine if they can receive COVID-19 vaccines as standard clinical practice.
Scientists at Medical College of Georgia are working on a synthetic version of the HLA-G molecule to protect transplanted kidneys from rejection. They hope this therapy will enable dose reduction of standard immunosuppressive drugs, reducing the risk of infections and other medical problems.
The new system automates the organ donation process for hospital staff, saving time and improving patient care. The collaboration enables the referral of potential donors directly to the OPO without manual calls, enhancing the efficiency of the entire process.
A small study from Mayo Clinic researchers raises concerns that some transplant patients may have a limited immune response after receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The study found that infected vaccinated solid organ transplant recipients had a 10 times higher infection rate compared to the general population.
Researchers at Salk Institute create chimeric organisms with human cells, offering insights into early human development, disease progression, and aging. The study could lead to innovative platforms for drug evaluation and address the organ shortage.
Researchers at UC Berkeley created a tiny wireless implant that can measure tissue oxygen levels in real-time, allowing doctors to monitor the health of transplanted organs and tissues. The device could also track other biochemical markers, such as pH or carbon dioxide, providing early warnings of potential issues.
A new surgical approach at Mayo Clinic has shown promising results in reducing antibody-mediated rejection in highly sensitized patients. The reverse-order heart-liver transplant procedure involves transplanting the liver first, followed by the heart, and has been successful in all seven patients who underwent the procedure.
Non-circulating memory T cells play a crucial role in chronic transplant rejection by providing local protection against re-infection and causing prolonged immune responses. Targeting these cells could improve clinical transplant outcomes while preserving the immune system's ability to fight off infections.
Researchers report that organoids grown from bile duct epithelial cells can repair damaged bile ducts in transplanted human livers. This breakthrough could lead to increased use of organs on the transplant waiting list by providing a cell-based therapy alternative.
A study found that veterans receiving all post-kidney transplant care within the VA have a lower risk of death compared to those receiving care through Medicare. The study suggests that high-quality care within the VA may contribute to better outcomes.
Researchers analyzed 2,121 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and found no significant association between immunosuppression and worse outcomes. The study suggests that immunosuppressive drugs may not increase the risk of severe COVID-19 for patients with chronic conditions.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have successfully grown human organs in pigs using stem cells, a breakthrough that could revolutionize organ transplantation and provide new therapeutic options for patients. This achievement marks a significant step towards solving the global organ shortage crisis.
A US study finds that many donor kidneys are discarded due to low-quality tissue, yet can function acceptably when transplanted. The study suggests that procurement biopsies add little value and may even reduce the supply of available kidneys.
A study using data from the United Network for Organ Sharing database found variation in heart transplant outcomes across US states between 2011 and 2016. The results showed that some states experienced significant improvements in survival rates, while others continued to struggle with poorer outcomes.
Researchers analyzed national organ transplant data from 2008 to 2017 and found a wide variation in organ procurement organizations' efficiency. They proposed three new metrics that would give a more accurate and equitable representation of performance, highlighting the need for improved evaluation of the organ donation system.
A new study published in Transplantation found that organ transplant recipients are at a higher risk of death from COVID-19 due to the use of hydroxychloroquine treatment. The study examined data from COVID-19 positive adult solid organ transplant recipients and non-transplant patients matched by age, race, and hospital admission status.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a new microgel drug delivery method to improve pancreatic islet transplant success. The method uses an engineered biomaterial to deliver an immune-suppressing protein, reducing dosage and side effects.
Researchers at Newcastle University have discovered a new technique that can improve the function of 'marginal' kidneys, increasing urine production and improving blood flow to damaged cells. The treatment uses a type of stem cell called MultiStem to deliver anti-inflammatory molecules.
A multidisciplinary team has developed a new technique to recover human lungs declined for transplant through cross-circulation between the human lung and a xenogeneic host. This breakthrough increases organ availability, saving lives of those waiting on the transplant list.
A new cell therapy approach has been shown to reduce the need for immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients, thereby minimizing the risk of side effects. The study found that regulatory cells were just as safe as standard treatment and did not result in higher rejection rates.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant reduction in the number of organ donations and solid organ transplants in France and the United States. Kidney transplants have dropped by 91% in France, while overall solid organ transplant procedures have declined by 50%.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to a significant increase in long-term survival of transplanted organs. The study found that the innate immune system can specifically remember foreign cells, paving the way for new drugs that can prevent chronic rejection.
The University of Minnesota Medical School has made a groundbreaking discovery to grow human-derived blood vessels in pigs, which have the potential to be used as a transplant solution for patients who need life-saving transplants.
A new website, transplantcentersearch.org, allows patients to compare transplant centers for kidney, liver, heart and lung transplants. The tool uses data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients to match factors important to each individual.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new method to preserve donated kidneys using a drug that generates S-nitrosothiols, restoring flow-through and reducing resistance. This could extend the number and quality of kidneys available for transplant, saving more people with end-stage renal disease.
A recent analysis estimates that kidney transplant failure incurs significant medical costs of $78,079 per patient and a loss of 1.66 quality-adjusted life years. The total incremental lifetime costs are $1.38 billion, highlighting the urgent need for reducing graft failure rates.
A Montana State University biotechnology researcher discovered a previously unknown tool that cells can use to protect their proteins from irreversible damage caused by redox reactions. This mechanism involves adding an extra sulfur atom onto existing sulfurs in protein molecules, allowing cells to recover and make new proteins.
Research found subtle structural features of donated kidneys, such as scarring and hardening of vessels, are associated with shorter kidney lifespan after transplantation. These findings may help clinicians evaluate organ quality at time of donation and identify potential predictors of transplant failure.
Hundreds of discarded deceased donor kidneys with acute kidney injury (AKI) can be successfully used for transplantation. This finding challenges current medical criteria and has the potential to significantly increase the organ donor pool, helping to address the growing shortage of available kidneys for transplant.
Lylex Pharmaceuticals is developing compounds targeting key enzymes responsible for organ damage, inflammation and rejection after transplant. The lead compound has shown high potency while minimizing toxic effects.
Researchers have identified a decrease in heart transplant survival rates following the implementation of a new donor allocation system in the US. The study found that patients receiving hearts are sicker than in previous systems, leading to an increase in post-transplant mortality.
A new study led by Australian National University researchers casts doubt on China's reported organ donation numbers, suggesting they may be falsified using a simple mathematical formula. The study found anomalies in the data that are difficult to explain, raising the possibility of deliberate manipulation.
A new study found that lung transplant recipients who received an inhaled form of cyclosporine had improved lung function and increased survival rates. The treatment, which involves using liposomal cyclosporine with a nebulizer, showed promise in preventing chronic organ rejection and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.
Analysis of US heart transplant data reveals large discrepancies in how sick patients are when they receive transplants at different hospitals. The study finds that high-survival-benefit hospitals prioritize sicker patients, while low-survival-benefit centers give organs to less critical patients.
Researchers found that transplant centers accepted varying numbers of high-risk kidneys between 2010 and 2016, but differences were not fully explained by waitlist size or organ availability. The study suggests that accepting less-than-ideal organs can lead to shorter average wait times for patients.
A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that an opt-out organ donation policy could alleviate some of the burden on US waiting lists, but its impact would be marginal. The researchers found that such a policy could potentially translate to large gains in life years for thousands of patients awaiting organ transplantation.
A recent UCSF study revealed that unauthorized immigrant recipients of liver transplants in the US have similar three-year survival rates as US citizens. Despite this, disparities in access to life-saving organs vary widely by state due to policies and provider attitudes.
A new national study by Penn Medicine found that hepatitis C-infected kidneys can function comparably to uninfected kidneys in patients who do not already have the virus. The study showed a significant increase in the use of HCV-infected organs, but raised questions about why these organs are still assigned lower risk scores.
A new study in INFORMS journal Management Science proposes a two-part method combining the donor-priority rule and freeze-period to increase organ quality and quantity. The solution is estimated to boost social welfare by $235 million a year and add 18 years to patient life expectancy, while increasing organ availability by 13%.
A new study found that nearly one-third of kidney transplant candidates die or are removed from the list without receiving a transplant, with many having had multiple organ offers declined. The research highlights concerns about the allocation system and suggests better communication between patients and transplant centers could improv...
This observational study found that most donated kidneys (84%) were declined by transplant centers due to concerns over organ or donor quality. Patients who received a deceased donor kidney had significantly more offers (median of 17) than those who died on the waiting list (16) or were removed from the list (15).
A new study found that French transplant centers are more likely to accept lower-rated kidneys from older donors, which could benefit thousands of Americans on the waitlist. This approach could provide over 10,000 years of life with a functioning kidney transplant if adopted in the US.
A new study by University of Minnesota researchers demonstrates the ability to induce lasting immune tolerance in transplanted cells and organs without long-term use of anti-rejection drugs. This achievement opens up possibilities for a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Research finds hearts from overdose death donors are as suitable as others, offering a solution to the growing organ shortage. The opioid epidemic has increased the number of organs available for transplant, including lungs and potentially other organs.
A genomic collision may explain why many kidney transplants fail due to genetic incompatibility between donor and recipient. The study found that recipients with two copies of a deletion near the LIMS1 gene had a significantly higher risk of rejection when the donor kidney had at least one full-sized version of the same gene.
The University of Maryland Medical Center successfully transplanted a kidney into a patient using an unmanned aircraft, demonstrating the potential of UAS for faster and safer organ deliveries. This breakthrough could improve outcomes for patients in need of organ transplants, particularly those in rural or geographically remote areas.
Researchers have developed a new chemical synthesis strategy, pharmacophore-directed retrosynthesis (PDR), to harvest information from natural products and identify novel, simpler derivatives. This approach may lead to selective protection of neurons and prevention of immune system rejection in organ transplants.
A new policy expanding lung transplant boundaries has led to increased costs due to longer travel distances, resulting in reduced organ availability for local donors. The study found that patients at smaller transplant programs are disadvantaged by the policy, particularly those in economically disadvantaged areas.
Researchers developed a biophotonic technique that uses ultraviolet and red light irradiation to eliminate bacteria and viruses from organs before transplantation. The method significantly reduced viral load in eight patients and completely eliminated the virus in two others.