Articles tagged with Organ Transplantation
Researchers develop nano-immunotherapy that prevents immune cells from activating and attacking transplanted organs, allowing for long-term acceptance. This approach could transform patient care and help overcome barriers to successful transplant outcomes.
Researchers found that accepting an organ from a donor at higher risk of disease transmission offers a higher one-year survival rate for candidates on the heart transplant list. Patients who decline such offers may wait longer or become too ill to undergo the procedure, resulting in higher mortality rates.
A study comparing transplant data from the US and France reveals that approximately 2,000 donated kidneys are discarded annually in the US, despite a shortage of organs. Adopting greater willingness to accept higher-risk donor groups could provide an additional 132,445 allograft life-years.
A new study has linked physical disabilities in kidney transplant recipients to poor outcomes, including a higher risk of organ failure for those with visual disabilities and early death for those with walking disabilities. The study suggests that these patients may benefit from additional supportive care and monitoring post-transplant.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified CD103+ dendritic cells as a major trigger of skin graft rejection, but found that pre-treating organs with an anti-inflammatory protein can mitigate this effect. This new strategy could offer benefits for organ transplantation, including face transplants.
Researchers at Loma Linda University Health found that kidney transplantation can be safely performed using organs testing positive for hepatitis C virus antibody but negative for active viral infection. The study expanded the number of kidneys available for those in need, addressing a shortage in organ donations.
Gene expression analysis of blood samples from 15 kidney transplant recipients revealed that the most robust gene expression changes occurred in the first day following transplantation. A comparison between living donors and deceased donor groups identified 11 genes that may play a key role in kidney repair and regeneration.
A study found that social support from family and friends is a key factor in deciding an individual's suitability for an organ transplant. The research suggests that this criterion may sanction existing prejudices and widen inequalities in the selection process.
A recent study has identified monocytes as key instigators of early lung transplant failure, leading to organ rejection and death. The researchers hope their findings will lead to new therapies targeting inflammatory cells.
A new algorithm developed by UCLA researchers more accurately predicts which people will survive heart failure and for how long. The algorithm provides significantly better predictions than current methods, allowing doctors to make personalized assessments and potentially reduce healthcare costs.
New research reveals a significant increase in organs available for transplantation due to the opioid epidemic. The study found that drug-overdose related deaths have led to a more than 10-fold increase in suitable donors.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital are re-assessing organ availability by considering previously deemed 'unfit' organs. The study aims to expand the donor pool and improve transplant outcomes, with the potential to save more lives.
A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals a sharp increase in organ donations from US donors who died of drug intoxication. Despite concerns over the sensitivity of these organs to blood supply restrictions, survival rates are similar to those for other causes of death.
The HOPE in Action Multicenter Kidney Study evaluates the safety and efficacy of kidney transplants between people with HIV, following the passage of the HOPE Act of 2013. Researchers track outcomes of 160 kidney transplants, comparing recipients who received organs from HIV-positive donors to those from uninfected donors.
A new Mayo Clinic study reveals that transplanted livers regulate the host's immune responses and have a protective effect on other organs. This finding may pave the way for reduced immunosuppression needs in transplant patients.
Researchers found that organs from overdose deaths have noninferior outcomes to those from trauma or natural death, but may carry higher risks of HIV and hepatitis transmission. Optimizing their use could help address the organ shortage, but caution is needed due to small potential risks.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital investigators explores the influence of biological sex on transplant outcomes. Researchers found that female donor sex is associated with increased transplant organ rejection rates in male recipients, while hormone receptors may play a role in these differences.
Researchers found that beta-amyloid triggers calcineurin, leading to loss of dendritic spines and synapses in Alzheimer's disease. Rescuing synapses with extra Pin1 or FK506, an FDA-approved drug for transplant rejection, may slow disease progression.
In a groundbreaking study, doctors at Johns Hopkins successfully transplanted hepatitis C-infected kidneys into patients without the virus. The recipients remained hepatitis C-free, and their kidneys functioned well, paving the way for more organs to be used in transplants.
Researchers are exploring non-invasive biomarker tests to monitor organ transplant patients and prevent rejection. Current biomarkers fall short, but various teams are hunting for new markers such as RNA levels, exosomes, and proteoforms.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports suggests that the eye is not as immune as previously thought, with some components being accessible to immune cells. This discovery has implications for wound healing and changes in vision such as cataracts, and may change the way we think about eye disorders.
A study found that watching a brief educational video increased participants' reported willingness to donate their faces for transplantation. The video provided basic information on patients eligible for face transplants, the donor-recipient matching process, and the challenges of recovery.
A Houston Methodist research team has identified a critical switch controlling T-cell function and discovered a pathway to target it, potentially solving autoimmune diseases and organ transplant rejection. By inhibiting IRF4 expression in activated T-cells, the researchers found they could render them irreversibly dysfunctional.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that expanding the geographic range of donated kidneys could save lives and increase kidney transplants. The analysis showed an expected annual increase in procured organs ranging from 58 to 174, depending on regional sharing.
A study suggests that expanding geographic sharing of donor kidneys could add 58 to 174 additional kidney transplants per year, helping more patients get off dialysis treatments. Organ quality varies from donor to donor and is concentrated in less populous regions, where patients are more willing to accept lower-quality organs.
Research suggests that older donor lungs can be used for transplantation with reasonable outcomes, expanding the donor pool. The study found no significant difference in 5-year survival between patients who received older versus younger donor lungs.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a novel stent to maintain blood flow to organs during transplant surgeries, potentially doubling successful organ donations. The stent, made of smart material, will direct selective blood flow to visceral arteries without disturbing the heart.
A study suggests that donor organs classified as 'increased risk' due to factors like drug use or incarceration are less likely to be used by transplant patients. Despite low disease transmission risks, these organs account for 1 in every 5 deceased donor organs and could lead to hundreds of additional transplants each year.
The UCLA-led study highlights the success of the kidney voucher program, which enables individuals to donate a kidney now and prioritize family members for future transplants. The program has led to 25 lifesaving transplants across the US, thanks to the altruistic donations of living donors.
A new study reveals that urinary markers miR-155-5p and CXCL10 can predict acute rejection and organ dysfunction in kidney transplant patients. The findings suggest a potential for improved patient outcomes through biomarker-based monitoring after transplantation.
The grant aims to improve the quality of donated livers and reduce organ rejection in transplanted patients. Researchers will focus on developing novel therapeutic strategies to prevent graft rejection and opportunistic infections.
Researchers found that treating patients with IdeS drug before transplantation significantly reduced donor-specific antibodies, allowing successful kidney transplants. The enzyme, produced by Streptococcus pyogenes, can remove organ-rejecting antibodies, making kidney transplantation possible.
A new method for monitoring organ transplant patients has been developed using a combination of DNA sequencing and computer science techniques. The method, which detects cell-free DNA in the bloodstream, can predict organ rejection with accuracy similar to that of biopsies.
A new review paper outlines the gold standard for identifying at-risk patients, preventing, diagnosing, and treating invasive fungal infections. Early and correct treatment leads to better outcomes for patients, reducing mortality rates from up to 85% in critically ill patients.
A study found that US transplant centers rejected donated kidneys a median of 7 times before accepting them for transplantation. The rejections varied by patient and donor characteristics, contributing to racial and ethnic disparities in access to kidney transplants.
Researchers found significant discrepancies in how potential donors are evaluated and identified across the US. They propose two new metrics: evaluating donation percentage and tracking organs transplanted per possible donor, which could help identify high-performing OPOs and improve donation rates.
A new risk score app, CAR-OLT, has been developed to predict cardiovascular complications in liver transplant patients. The app uses a unique blood flow model and is intended for use in those ages 18 to 75 with liver disease undergoing evaluation for liver transplantation.
Experts at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified a key molecule, SIRP-alpha, that triggers innate immune system activation and leads to organ rejection. Sequencing this gene could lead to better donor-recipient matches and new ways to prevent transplant rejection.
For patients undergoing intestinal or multi-organ transplantation, closing the abdominal wall poses a difficult surgical challenge. Total abdominal wall transplantation provides an alternative for abdominal closure in these complex cases, according to a state-of-the-art approach presented in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
A new study found that people with organ transplants are at higher risk of developing and dying from cancer than the general population, yet their rates of cancer screening do not meet existing guidelines. The study examined 6,392 patients who had organ transplants in Ontario between 1997 and 2010.
Ten patients at Penn Medicine have been cured of Hepatitis C following kidney transplants from HCV-infected donors. The study demonstrates the potential for increasing organ supply and may open up new transplant options for hundreds more patients.
A University of Surrey-led study has developed a model to provide vital insight into controlling CMV infection, particularly in transplant patients and HIV/AIDS sufferers. The research identified four unique patterns of response and created a sophisticated mathematical model to predict therapy duration needed for viral clearance.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a method to detect organ transplant rejection earlier, using a blood-based approach that targets 'transplant exosomes.' This new strategy may enable doctors to intervene sooner and reduce the risk of long-term side effects from immunosuppressive drugs.
Researchers have discovered a new cell structure responsible for previously unexplained rejections following an organ transplant, which may lead to the development of a new drug to prevent this type of rejection. This breakthrough could one day transform transplant practice by improving assessment of rejection risks.
A study from Drexel University found that nonwhite organ transplant recipients require unique dermatological care due to varying skin cancer risk factors and locations. The research highlights the importance of evaluating and treating patients differently based on their race, with a focus on sun-protected areas and high-risk human papi...
A new study reveals that nanotechnology can be used to rapidly rewarm cryogenically treated samples without damaging delicate frozen tissues. This technology may help make organ cryopreservation a reality, eliminating transplant waiting lists and reducing rejection rates.
The Spanish system has made organ donation a routine consideration when a patient dies, with professionals exploring patients' wishes regarding organ donation. The model's success lies in its coordination and organization, making it applicable to other countries with adaptations depending on the healthcare system and factors.
A new study from Intermountain Medical Center found that using longitudinal data improves predictive accuracy for kidney transplant patients. Four predictive models were developed by layering available data, achieving accuracy improvements of nearly 16% and up to 83.8% in predicting kidney loss or death.
A new method allows donor lungs to be preserved for up to 20 hours, enabling more flexible transplant timing and improving patient outcomes. This shift in paradigm increases the availability of healthy donor lungs for patients waiting for a life-saving transplant.
New research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases reveals that infection with Zika virus during pregnancy can lead to brain damage in infants born prematurely. In another study, scientists found Zika virus in patients receiving organ transplants, highlighting a new complication of the disease.
A new non-invasive test measures donor-derived cell-free DNA in plasma to monitor transplant recipients and detect rejection. The assay has shown promise in reducing complications and rejection, improving outcomes for heart transplant patients.
A new study found that some living kidney donors are not given prompt access to transplantation when they need a transplant. The study examined data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and found that only 40-50 prior living donors are added to the kidney waiting list each year.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that eliminating dendritic cells from transplanted organs can prolong transplant survival by reducing T cell proliferation. This breakthrough could lead to new methods for preventing or treating organ transplant rejection without compromising the patient's immune defenses.
Brazil performs more liver transplant surgeries than Latin America and globally ranks third in absolute terms. However, the country's increasing population and inadequate donor organ supply lead to only 5-10 liver transplants per million population annually.
A new diagnostic tool uses short-strand DNA library preparation to analyze cell-free DNA in plasma, enabling transplant recipients to get an idea of how their new organ is responding via a simple blood test. This method can help determine whether the transplanted organ is injured or being rejected.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a new approach to stabilize donor limb and tissue biology after brain death, which could lead to improved success rates in transplantation. The goal is to increase the number of viable organs available for transplant, addressing a pressing need in the field.
A mouse study reveals that skin grafts between mice treated with antibiotics before transplantation survive roughly twice as long. The team also found that changing the composition of microbiota affects organ transplants, suggesting a new strategy to improve transplant outcomes in humans.
Creating a confidential reporting system in Canada about organ transplant tourism could help reduce the practice and disrupt international networks. Physicians can discourage transplant tourism by discussing risks with patients and providing continued care pre- and postoperatively.
A 55-year-old man underwent a combined VCA and double-organ transplant procedure, combining a scalp and skull flap with a kidney and pancreas transplant from the same donor. The patient experienced excellent outcomes, including good cosmetic appearance of the transplanted scalp.
A new study found that organ recipients with a history of cancer are at a higher risk of dying from any cause, dying from cancer, or developing a new cancer. The association between these outcomes did not vary by the type of transplanted organ, according to researchers at St. Michael's Hospital.