Future Directions
The future of solid organ transplantation is one full of exciting possibilities. New options include composite tissue transplants, minimization of immunosuppressive medications and the use of stem cells for organ regeneration.
The fulfillment of this promise will depend on many factors. Primary among these is the funding of clinical and basic science research that will answer the basic questions required to implement generalized clinical practice.
Xenotransplantation will continue through genetic engineering to be pursued as an alternative to human organ transplantation. Likewise new biodevices to replace organ function (kidney, pancreas, heart and liver) are under development and show promise.
A focus on the impact of pharmacogenomics (the genetic makeup of a person that determines how their body handles drugs) will be considered more frequently in the selection and dosing of medications including transplant medications.
Extension of immunosuppressive drug coverage and increasing access to insurance for all transplant recipients (pediatric and adult), and living donors will be an ongoing focus.
In summary, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) foresees the following important directions in the future of organ transplantation:
- Continued research to understand the basis for the rejection of transplanted organs, as well as studies in the fields of stem cells, immune tolerance, xenotransplantation, and artificial organs.
- Improved federal funding of basic and clinical research.
- Improved updating of the requirements for immunosuppression drug trials to ensure that the new medications are being compared to the correct standard of care.
- Improvement in the long term management of transplant recipients.
- Persistent efforts to improve the rate of deceased and live organ donation.
- Improved allocation systems to decrease disparate wait times.
- Increased access to insurance coverage and immunosuppressive medications for transplant recipients.
- Health insurance coverage for the living organ donor.
Approved by the AST Board of Directors on April 13, 2009