Articles tagged with Organ Donation
Researchers have developed a gene therapy technique that makes recipient's immune system tolerant of newly engrafted organs, eliminating the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drug therapy. The approach involves introducing a vector carrying the CTLA4Ig protein into an organ preservation solution before transplant surgery.
Researchers are working on a strategy to overcome hyperacute rejection by removing sugars from pig cells, targeting the GAL trigger and developing O-type blood. The goal is to produce pigs suitable for human transplantation within five years.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed an oral vaccine that may prevent rejection of corneal transplants. The vaccine involves feeding processed corneal cells from donor corneas to recipients over time, training their immune system to accept donated corneas without the need for powerful immunosuppressive drugs.
A new clinical model has been developed to accurately predict survival among groups of patients with moderate to severe heart failure. The model, based on seven readily obtainable measurements, enables the efficient use of scarce donor hearts and identifies high-risk patients for enrollment in clinical trials.
A novel surgical technique developed at the UPMC has improved graft survival rates in patients receiving combined pancreas and kidney transplants. The technique protects the pancreas from injury during removal and transport, resulting in higher patient survival rates.
A Duke University Medical Center study reveals that early marrow transplants can cure nearly all cases of severe combined immune deficiency (SCID), a previously fatal disorder. The research found that treating the disease within three months of birth and using 'half-matched' parental marrow can significantly improve survival rates.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed an implantable artificial lung that preserves lung function for 24 hours in animal models. The device is intended as a 'bridge to transplant' for patients awaiting lung transplants and as treatment for acute lung failure.