Stem Cells in Kidney Transplants May Eliminate Need for Anti-Rejection Drugs

A phase 3 clinical trial has shown that adding stem cells from the organ donor to kidney transplants can help patients wean off lifelong anti-rejection drugs, which have harmful side effects. The trial found that 16 out of 19 patients were able to stop taking these drugs after two years. This approach, which involves creating a hybrid immune system through "mixed chimerism," could potentially extend the lifespan of transplanted kidneys and reduce the need for repeat transplants. However, more research is needed to apply this method to a broader range of patients and other types of organ transplants.