Just Released - Transplantation Direct - January 2026

We start the year 2026 off with an exciting issue of Transplantation Direct. On the topic of kidney transplantation, we have a variety of articles on different topics including Delphi Consensus-based recommendations on immunosuppression use in patients developing squamous cell carcinoma; there is also a study presented on using matched peripheral blood and biopsy molecular profiling patterns to identify the relationship and occurrence of subclinical and acute rejection, and a report on testing the use of NAD+ -loaded nanoparticles to reduce kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury in an experimental mouse model. Shifting to organ donation issues related to kidney transplantation, we have a paper on development of a scoring system to determine the transplant potential of suboptimal kidneys subject to 6 hours of monitoring via ex vivo normothermic perfusion, and a report from an SRTR analysis looking at pediatric kidney donor quality assessed by KDPI scoring with the aim to determine whether this method accurately estimates graft survival and maximizes kidney graft utilization. In liver transplantation, authors present an interesting cohort study where they assessed whether using hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion can reduce the risk of early tumor recurrence in patients undergoing transplantation for HCC. For the lung transplant community, we have an article on the use of donor-derived cell-free DNA to determine the risk of mortality and CLAD in transplant recipients with invasive aspergillosis. Finally, on the topic of xenotransplantation, an internationally recognized group reports on the development of highly inbred lines of miniature swine to be used for transplantation. We hope that you will continue to follow Transplantation Direct throughout this new year, and welcome you to find all details on these and other articles on our open access website.

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Transplantation Journal Highlights

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Cumulative Risk Assessment for De Novo and Recurrent Nonliver Cancer After Liver Transplantation Based on Pretransplant Cancer Experience

As cancer therapeutics improve, more liver transplant (LT) candidates will have a history of prior to transplant malignancy (PTM), an established risk for cancer posttransplant.

Perioperative Antibiotic Strategies in Liver Transplantation: A Propensity Score Analysis of Prophylaxis Versus Preemptive Therapy

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common after liver transplantation (LT), with perioperative antibiotic strategies varying across centers. This study compared the incidence of SSIs in patients receiving perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) versus preemptive antibiotic therapy (PAT).

The Relative Roles of Inflammation in Kidney Allotransplantation and Xenotransplantation

The nature and severity of the inflammatory response influences the outcome of organ allotransplantation and xenotransplantation. In allotransplantation, the source of the allograft, for example, from a living, brain-dead, or circulatory death donor, influences the inflammatory response, as do such factors as the preexisting comorbidities and the length of the period of chronic kidney disease in the recipient and the management he/she has received.

Cryopreservation Strategies to Improve Access to Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation is the only definitive cure for end-stage organ failure. The primary obstacle is the scarcity of viable donor organs, resulting in many patients dying on the transplant waitlist. The last decade has brought a range of transformative technologies to address this shortage: machine perfusion has risen as an option to greatly increase the human donor organ utilization, while xenotransplantation further promises to fundamentally alter the calculus in supply constraints.

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Propensity Score-matched Real-world Data: HCC Recurrence Rates After DBD Liver Transplantation in Times of Machine Perfusion

Liver transplantation (LT) remains the most effective treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), offering 5-y recurrence rates as low as 15%. Recent advances in organ preservation, particularly hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE), have demonstrated the ability to attenuate ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). However, whether HOPE can reduce HCC recurrence rates by mitigating IRI remains an open question. In this study, we aimed to compare oncological outcomes after LT for HCC with and without the use of HOPE.

Biopsy and Blood Gene Expression Distinguish Injury, Subclinical and Clinical Rejection in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Long-term outcomes in kidney transplantation remain suboptimal, with subclinical acute rejection (subAR) frequently going undetected by conventional methods. We hypothesized that subAR represents a molecular precursor to clinical acute rejection (cAR). Leveraging a large National Institutes of Health-funded cohort with matched kidney tissue and peripheral blood samples, our primary objective was to determine whether subAR and cAR share molecular patterns, establishing subAR as an early stage of cAR. As a secondary aim, we compared biopsy and blood gene expression profiles to identify unique and shared pathways and to assess their diagnostic utility.

Consensus-based Recommendations on the Management of Immunosuppression After Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis in Kidney Transplant Recipients: An International Delphi Consensus Statement

Posttransplant immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients is associated with an increased risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Various dermatological and immunosuppression modulation strategies have been identified that may reduce the risk of CSCC, both in primary and secondary prevention settings.

Plasma Cell-free DNA Associated With Risk of Mortality and Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction Among Lung Transplant Recipients With Aspergillus

Aspergillus species is a common pathogen in lung transplant patients. However, existing clinical standards rely on a complex constellation of clinical, radiological, and microbiologic criteria with limited sensitivity to differentiate between invasive Aspergillus infection and colonization. We therefore tested whether a molecular measure of allograft injury—donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA)—better identifies invasive aspergillosis compared with current guidelines-based classification.

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GODT 2024 Report

We are delighted to present you the 2024 Report of the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT), managed by the Organización Nacional de Trasplantes (ONT) as Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the field of transplantation.

The report presents data on organ donation and transplantation activities at a global level, by WHO region and by country, corresponding to the year 2024. Information is displayed by donor type and attending to donor and recipient demographics. It also contains relevant information on waiting lists data, accessibility (transplant centers and population covered) and travel for transplantation.

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Member Spotlight - Stefan Tullius Conferred Honorary Doctor of Medicine at the Univ. of Gothenburg

On October 15th, 2025, Our Editor-in-Chief of Transplantation was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Medicine Award from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. This recognition reflects not only his work in transplantation surgery but also the incredible collaboration with researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg in support of uterine transplantation.

It’s a privilege to contribute to advancing clinical research and to help strengthen the scientific ties between Boston and Gothenburg. Grateful for the inspiring colleagues and teams on both sides of the Atlantic who make this work possible! "
- Stefan Tullius

As part of the award, Stefan gave an honorary lecture entitled "What if age was just a number - consequences in and beyond organ transplantation.

New DICG Council Members

The Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG) is pleased to welcome its newly appointed Council members: Sumana Navin (India), Ala Ali (Iraq), Josephina Alberú (Mexico), and Michelle Josephson (USA). Josephina Alberú and Michelle Josephson will serve as TTS Representatives.

DICG also extends its sincere gratitude to the outgoing Council members: Khin Thida Thwin (Myanmar), Sanjay Nagral (India), Mohamad Hany Hafez (Egypt), and Nadey Hakim (UK). We appreciate their valuable service and dedication.

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In the News

Use of simultaneous liver transplant and sleeve gastrectomy in managing patients with obesity and end-stage liver disease

Jan. 7 - Bariatric surgery is one strategy employed to manage the burden of obesity and comorbid conditions, including metabolic syndrome (MetS), that affect transplant candidates with class 3 obesity. Bariatric surgery can be performed before, during or after liver transplantation (LT). However, researchers are still working to determine the most advantageous timing and sequencing for these surgeries.

New study shows how the spleen helps the immune system accept a transplant

Jan. 7 - New research from the University of Minnesota Medical School offers a new view of how the immune system responds to organ transplants. The findings, published today in Science Advances, show that T cell exhaustion — traditionally viewed as a pathological failure of the immune system — can instead play a protective role by helping the body tolerate a donated organ.

Diabetes, Anuria May Predict High Postvoid Residual After Kidney Transplantation

Jan. 9 - New research suggests diabetes mellitus and anuria are predictive factors of high post-void residual after transplantation in patients with end-stage kidney disease. The findings also report a potential association between larger prostate volume in male transplant recipients and an increased likelihood of re-catheterization.

Living in a Disadvantaged Neighborhood Affects Transplant Wait-Listing Outcomes

Jan. 9 - Investigators conducted a retrospective study to evaluate potential neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantages that may affect access to kidney transplantation and wait-listing. The researchers examined the association between Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and time to wait-listing for a kidney transplant and also whether evaluation outcomes vary by ADI quartile.

Research shows how immune system reacts to pig kidney transplants in living patients

Jan. 8 - Novel research led by Brazilian scientists describes the immune system's reactions in detail in the first living patient to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant. This paves the way for the search for therapies that can prevent organ rejection.

Steroidal MRAs Raise Hyperkalemia Risk Without Improving Kidney Transplant Outcomes

Jan. 2 - Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) protect kidney function among patients with CKD by lowering blood pressure, limiting cardiac remodeling, and reducing inflammation and fibrosis. However, few data are available regarding the role of MRAs in the treatment of kidney transplant recipients. The need for robust clinical trial data is associated with the lack of definitive guidelines, specifically endorsing the use of MRAs in the kidney transplant population.

6 Nephrology Headlines You Missed in December 2025

Jan. 2 - December wrapped up 2025 with new research to curate a more granular understanding of treatment strategies in chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Important investigations delved into the benefits of different dialysis and transplantation modalities, while newly approved therapies and disease management strategies may guide future approaches in nephrology.

Targeting the lectin pathway in TA-TMA

Jan. 13 - In this issue of Blood Advances, Matsui et al report that inhibition of the lectin pathway with narsoplimab, a monoclonal antibody against mannan-binding lectin–associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2), markedly improved survival in adults with high-risk transplant–associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) compared with a well-matched external controls from the Kyoto Stem Cell Transplantation Group (KSCTG) registry.

FDA approves narsoplimab-wuug for transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy

Jan. 2 - On December 24, 2025, the U.S. FDA approved narsoplimab-wuug (Yartemlea; Omeros) for the treatment of hematopoietic stem cell transplant–associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA), a severe and often fatal complication following stem cell transplantation. The therapy is approved for adults and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older and becomes the first and only approved inhibitor of the lectin pathway of complement for this indication.

First human 'lung-on-chip' model developed using stem cells from a single donor

Jan. 2 - Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and AlveoliX have developed the first human 'lung-on-chip' model using stem cells taken from only one person. These chips simulate breathing motions and lung disease in an individual, holding promise for testing treatments for infections like tuberculosis (TB) and delivering personalized medicine.

Low-Dose Tacrolimus Safe for Long-Term Steroid-Free Transplants

Dec. 31 - Initial results of the SAILOR trial demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of steroid avoidance (SA) at 2 years after kidney transplant. SAILOR was a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial involving immunologically low-risk kidney transplant recipients. The trial enrolled 222 participants who were randomly assigned to one of two groups, receiving either antithymocyte globulin induction, low-dose tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or basiliximab induction, low-dose tacrolimus, MMF, and prednisolone.

Upcoming Meetings and Announcements

TTS 2026

September 20-23, 2026 | Sydney, Australia

31st International Congress of The Transplantation Society

SPLIT 2026

April 23-24, 2026 | San Francisco, CA, USA

30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT 2026)

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TTS 2026 Abstract Submission is now open!

The Scientific Program Committee of the 31st International Congress of The Transplantation Society is pleased to announce that the Call for Abstracts is now open.

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Call for Nominations Reminder - DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 18, 2026

THE NOMINATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 18, 2026 (END OF DAY).

﻿Nominations are being sought for these positions

Just Released - Transplantation Direct - January 2026

Transplantation Journal Highlights

Transplantation Journal - Social Media Content

Transplantation Direct - Social Media Content

Upcoming Webinar Presentations

In Case You Missed It...

Behind the Paper with Robson Gilmour and Mekhola Hoff

GODT 2024 Report

Member Spotlight - Stefan Tullius Conferred Honorary Doctor of Medicine at the Univ. of Gothenburg

New DICG Council Members

In the News

Use of simultaneous liver transplant and sleeve gastrectomy in managing patients with obesity and end-stage liver disease

New study shows how the spleen helps the immune system accept a transplant

Diabetes, Anuria May Predict High Postvoid Residual After Kidney Transplantation

Living in a Disadvantaged Neighborhood Affects Transplant Wait-Listing Outcomes

Research shows how immune system reacts to pig kidney transplants in living patients

Scientists test a tiny eye implant that could restore sight

Hematopoietic transplantation for PNP deficiency: it’s time

How Fear of ‘Humanized’ Pigs Stalled One of Medicine’s Boldest Ideas

Steroidal MRAs Raise Hyperkalemia Risk Without Improving Kidney Transplant Outcomes

6 Nephrology Headlines You Missed in December 2025

Targeting the lectin pathway in TA-TMA

FDA approves narsoplimab-wuug for transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy

First human 'lung-on-chip' model developed using stem cells from a single donor

Low-Dose Tacrolimus Safe for Long-Term Steroid-Free Transplants

Upcoming Meetings and Announcements

TTS 2026

SPLIT 2026

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