All articles tagged with #immunosuppression
Tim Andrews, one of the first recipients of a genetically modified pig kidney, has now received a human kidney after the pig organ failed, marking a historic step in xenotransplantation and illustrating its potential to address organ shortages and reduce dialysis. Researchers are refining immunosuppressive regimens and planning additional xenotransplants as trials move forward.
Tim Andrews—one of the first recipients of a genetically modified pig kidney—has now received a human kidney, becoming the first in that small group to cross from animal to human organ. The pig kidney lasted 271 days before rejection, after which he returned to dialysis; days later he underwent a near-perfectly matched human kidney transplant. The case highlights xenotransplantation as a potential bridge to address the organ shortage, with ongoing research to refine immunosuppression and improve graft survival and plans for additional trials.
A groundbreaking trial at Uppsala University Hospital demonstrated that gene-edited donor islet cells can survive in a human with type 1 diabetes for 12 weeks without immunosuppressive drugs, showing promise for a future cure that avoids lifelong immune suppression.
A study indicates that cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation is common in COVID-19 ICU patients, especially those on high-dose steroids, and is associated with worse outcomes, suggesting the need for vigilant monitoring and early antiviral intervention.
An elderly man on the Kenai Peninsula died from Alaskapox virus, a type of orthopoxvirus first discovered in 2015 near Fairbanks. The man, who had a history of immunosuppression, experienced a worsening lesion in his armpit, leading to hospitalization and ultimately death. The source of the infection remains unclear, but scratches from a stray cat are being investigated. This marks the first fatal case of Alaskapox outside the Fairbanks area, prompting health officials to raise awareness and expand testing efforts for the virus.
Two new studies reveal that immune-compromised patients, such as those with cancer and HIV, exhibit varying times for clearing the COVID-19 virus, with some at higher risk for persistent infections. The studies found that patients with severe immunosuppression were more likely to have prolonged infections, while those with mild to moderate immunosuppression, including those on B-cell depleting therapy, were able to clear the virus during the acute phase of infection. The research also suggests that immunocompromised patients with persistent viruses may not be a significant source of mutated variants.
Researchers from Cornell and the University of Alberta have developed a new technique to treat Type 1 diabetes by implanting a device under the skin that can secrete insulin without the need for immunosuppression. The device, named SHEATH (Subcutaneous Host-Enabled Alginate THread), is inserted into a pocket created by nylon catheters, allowing blood vessels to form around it. The device provides a long-term and less invasive alternative to insulin injections or traditional transplants, and future versions may last for two to five years before needing replacement. Additional research is needed to support long-term functionality in large-animal models and eventually patients.