Antibody Therapy is Making Universal Kidney Donation a Reality
An immune system therapy is making universal kidney donation a reality for thousands of patients awaiting a transplant. This new therapeutic approach, which was recently detailed in the New England Journal of Medicine, involves desensitizing the immune system of patients awaiting a kidney donation, reducing the likelihood that the body rejects the new organ.
With an estimated 100,000-plus patients awaiting a kidney transplant, this immune system therapy is helping patients match with formerly incompatible donors, reducing waitlist times and deaths.
Kidney Transplantation Diagram
Immune System Desensitization
One of the biggest challenges with kidney transplants is a possible immune system rejection of the new organ. Out of the 100,000 patients in the US awaiting a kidney transplant, nearly 20% have antibodies that will attack the new organ, causing organ failure. The current method of reducing kidney transplant rejection involves using a medication, such as Imuran or Neoral, to suppress the immune system and prevent antibodies from attacking the new organ. However, this method of treatment puts patients at risk for infections that can lead to death.
The new approach involves filtering the antibodies out of the blood system. Rather than suppressing the immune system as a whole, the new procedure gives patients an infusion of other antibodies to allow the system to regenerate new antibodies. The breakthrough in this therapy is that the new regenerated antibodies are less likely to attack the new organ, reducing the rate of rejection and possible death in patients. This new immune system procedure is projected to cost patients around $30,000, excluding the cost of organ transplant. The therapy can take up to 2 weeks, and it must be done before the kidney transplant of a living donor.
Promising Results for Those In Need of New Kidney
The initial results of this therapy are promising, and patients in the study are still alive 8 years after the transplant. The therapy is also proving to be effective in lung and liver transplant, as the organs are less sensitive to antibodies. This immune system antibody therapy is providing hope for thousands of patients awaiting a transplant.
