Articles tagged with Organ Transplantation
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.
A study by UCSF researchers found that nearly one in seven kidney donors experience potentially adverse events related to their donation. Long-term systematic renal monitoring and routine checkups for living kidney donors are recommended to prevent renal failure and cardiovascular issues.
Researchers successfully transplanted hepatitis C-infected hearts and lungs, detecting no signs of the disease and good outcomes for patients treated with a short course of antivirals. The study found that nearly all patients cleared the virus within two weeks, and graft survival was comparable to non-HCV positive donors.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding antibody-mediated rejection, a major challenge in organ transplantation. They discovered the critical amino acids and binding site of alloantibodies on HLA molecules, providing new avenues for developing therapies to prevent or treat this type of rejection.
The introduction of generic immunosuppressive medications has led to significant cost savings for transplant patients and the Medicare program. On average, payments decreased by 48%-67% for Medicare Part D plans and 24%-44% for patients receiving the low-income subsidy.
A new screening method using sensor particles and a urine test can catch organ rejection earlier and more comprehensively than traditional biopsies. The test detects T cell attacks on transplanted organs through fluorescent signals in the urine, allowing for early detection and potential adjustments to immunosuppressant medications.
The HOPE in Action Multicenter Liver Study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of transplanting livers from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive recipients. Researchers will monitor participants for signs of organ rejection, failure, and HIV-related complications, as well as track their psychological and social responses.
A Brazilian project aims to assess how patients awaiting kidney transplants react to porcine blood, with the goal of reducing the country's transplant waiting list. The initiative uses gene-edited pigs and CRISPR-Cas9 technology to make organs compatible with human bodies.
A recent study found substantial variability in organ donation from drug-intoxication-related deaths, with major increases reported in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southwest. The research estimates that 6.24 hearts are recovered from every 1,000 lives lost to drug intoxication.
A powerful molecule, HLA-G dimer, helps protect transplanted organs from rejection by quietening two other immune molecules. The study provides more evidence that this molecule should be an effective therapy for protecting transplanted organs, and its potential to improve outcomes in organ transplant patients.
A recent study found that the MELD score does not fully identify patients with life-threatening syndrome ACLF-3, which involves multiple organ-system failures. ACLF-3 patients have a higher risk of being removed from the waitlist or dying while waiting for a transplant.
Researchers developed a blood test that detects severe lung transplant rejection early, even when no signs are present. The test uses DNA sequencing and has shown promising results in improving transplant outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a molecular approach to prevent organ rejection while maintaining the ability to fight infections. By blocking coronin 1 in T cells, these immune cells suppress immune response to transplanted organs but continue to control viral and bacterial infections.
Researchers identified optimal recipients for split liver transplants, including children weighing under 10 kilograms and those with rare diseases. Split liver transplants were found to have similar outcomes as whole liver transplants when adjusting for variables such as donor age and recipient health.
A medical records study of over 7,000 patients awaiting a lung transplant in the US has confirmed that the current organ allocation system is geographically biased. The study found significant disparities in lung transplant rates between different regions, with some areas receiving nearly four times more transplants than others.
A national study suggests that kidneys from deceased donors with acute kidney injury have the same success rates as non-injured kidneys, and may be a valuable resource for patients in need of transplantation. The study found no significant differences in organ rejection rates or recipient outcomes between AKI and non-AKI kidneys.
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.
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.
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.
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.