Lyfebulb Founder and kidney-pancreas transplant recipient Dr. Karin Hehenberger and TransplantLyfe Community Manager Kevin Schnurr sit down with Craig Pressley, LICSW, a seasoned transplant social worker at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to break down the financial realities of kidney transplantation.

Whether you’re pre- or post-transplant, this session offers a clear, accessible overview of:

  • Common transplant-related costs—from evaluations to lifelong medications
  • How Medicare Parts A, B, and D apply to transplant patients Commercial insurance, coordination of benefits, and supplemental coverage
  • Why applying for Medicare matters—even if you have private insurance Tips for finding trustworthy insurance information

This is Episode 1 of our transplant cost and insurance series, designed to equip patients and care partners with tools to better plan for the future.

Watch now and don’t forget to subscribe for updates on Episode 2, where we’ll explore real-world patient examples and financial assistance options. Learn more at TransplantLyfe.com and join our discussion forum to continue the conversation.

The Most Common Cancer in Immune-Suppressed Individuals

In 2024, more than 48,000 organ transplants were performed in the United States. Although solid organ transplant (SOT) is a life-saving treatment, unfortunately, recipients have elevated risk for many cancer types due to the medications transplant recipients take to avoid rejection of their new organ.    

The highest increase in cancer rates for SOTs are most frequently associated with skin cancers.  The immunosuppression medications (Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate, Cyclosporine, Azathioprine and others) impair the capacity of the immune system to repair UV-damaged cells, allowing these damaged cells to develop into cancers.

The four main types of skin cancer in organ recipients are:

  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): 100x higher risk
  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC): 24x higher risk
  • Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): 16x higher risk
  • Melanoma: 2x higher risk

Monitoring

Symptoms of skin cancer include new bumps or patches on the skin, or changes in the size, shape or color of skin growths. Frequent self-exams and (full body) screening examinations performed by a dermatologist are recommended for all SOTs. Generally speaking, an annual exam is sufficient. However, if any SCC is suspected/discovered during an exam, more frequent checks by a transplant dermatologist may make more sense (3/6/9-month intervals).

When performing self-exams, all skin should be checked for any changes in size, shape or color of skin growths or the development of new skin spots. This includes the scalp, ears (including on the insides), palms of hands, soles of feet, between toes, genital area and the area between the buttocks. Skin cancers may even manifest inside the eyes. Mirrors, magnifying glasses and even taking photographs can help to identify changes in skin over time.

Treatment

Most skin cancer is treatable if it’s caught early. Treatments include Mohs surgery, cryotherapy, chemotherapy and radiation.

The most common treatment for SCC is having the Mohs procedure/surgery performed. This procedure involves removal of thin layers of cancerous skin, one at a time.  Each layer is examined under a microscope until normal tissue is found.  Sometimes multiple sessions may be necessary.  Unfortunately, the removal of tissue often leads to deficits that might require reconstructive surgery. Non-cancerous spots/markings that are identified may be “frozen” (cryotherapy)  to destroy the affected cells.  Early detection and treatment are critical for managing skin cancer, post-transplant. 

Prevention

In most cases, skin cancer can be prevented. The best way to protect ourselves to avoid too much sunlight and sunburns.  It is very important to implement effective sun protection strategies which most certainly should be prioritized.  Some strategies include using broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing protective clothing and sunglasses, avoiding the sun during peak hours, and steering clear of tanning beds. However, much of the damage detected in an adult has been caused by sun exposure as a child, which is the reason why skin cancers in non-transplant recipients also occur to a higher extent in the elderly.

Transplant recipients wear a badge of honor everyday of their lives and are grateful to their organ donors and donor families for making the Gift of Life available to them.  Prevention and close monitoring are key to avoid adding the term “cancer survivor” to the list of medical conditions. 

__________________________

Sources:

Two years ago, I wasn’t sure what the future would hold. Sitting upright felt like running a marathon. I relied on a wheelchair to get around, and even the simplest tasks left me exhausted. Yet amid that uncertainty, one thing remained: hope. Hope is made possible by the life-changing gift of organ donation. 

Recently, I completed my very first 5K walk. 

That moment wasn’t just about miles. It was about the meaning behind each step. Every stride I took was a powerful symbol of resilience, gratitude, and transformation. 

My transplant journey has been anything but easy. It’s been filled with moments of fear, physical setbacks, and emotional weight. There were days I wasn’t sure how I’d keep going. But I chose to rise anyway. With the unwavering support of my medical team, my family, and the transplant community, I kept moving forward—one step at a time. 

Walking that 5K wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a tribute. A tribute to my donor, whose selfless gift gave me a second chance at life. A tribute to those still waiting for their miracle. And a message to the world that life after transplant is not just possible—it’s powerful. 

To anyone facing a health battle of their own: don’t give up. Don’t count yourself out. Your body is capable of incredible things. Your spirit, even more so. With faith, determination, and a circle of support, healing can happen. I am walking and living proof of it. 

My journey is far from over, but that day, I walked with strength, with purpose, and with deep, unshakable gratitude. 

By: LaVise McCray

In early May, I celebrated 11 years with my living donor kidney. I received the Gift of Life courtesy of my close friend, Matthew, in 2014. I’m often asked how he came to give me a second chance at life and the truth is I owe it all to an electronics retail job we shared after college. We started as strangers but spent 40+ hour weeks together, endured stressful holiday sales, and forged a bond that only working in retail can provide.

As I reflect on the time since my surgery, I’m reminded of the ups and downs and all the major and miniscule moments along the way. I feel overly compelled to write a note to the version of Kevin who awoke in a recovery room with a freshly-transplanted kidney on May 6, 2014. I want to let him know what to expect and, most importantly, that things are going to be different, but OK!

The nurse has been calling your name for a few seconds, but with the general anesthesia wearing off and your hearing loss, it’s going to take a few extra moments for you to wake up and snap to attention. You’ll immediately recite your name and date of birth, before the nurse even gets the chance to ask you, and she’ll laugh. Your mind will immediately think of Matthew and you’ll learn he’s doing well in recovery. Your new kidney is making urine right away. Lots of it.

A few days later, back at home, you’ll hate walking up steps but the pain will subside in time. You’ll endure a temporary bout of insomnia but that’ll pass. A weekly pill organizer will become a part of your life as much as brushing your teeth.

You’ll be scared to be around large crowds, so you’ll mask in a society that hasn’t yet endured a devastating global pandemic. One time you won’t have a mask on and a small child will sneeze directly in your face at a pharmacy. You’ll be emotionally shaken but fine.

You’ll be scared to see the results of routine lab work…actually you’ll stay scared over the years. Sorry about that one. But you’ll trust your care team and listen to your body and that’s a solid plan. Eventually, you’ll become more accustomed to falling asleep without plugging into a dialysis cycler than the way it used to be for you.

You’ll get sick with random illnesses, as folks do, and require hospitalization. You’ll catch a virus that will cause the world to go on pause.

Connecting with fellow transplant patients will change your outlook on everything. One day you’ll talk less about transplant with these individuals and more about your favorite new TV shows. You’ll wish them Happy Transplantiversary every year and celebrate the birth of their children.

Working a typical 9-5 won’t be for you, so you’ll fall into renal patient advocacy and meet researchers, and nephrologists, and driven individuals who want to make life better for patients like you. You’ll travel all over the country and be inspired by too many folks to count.

You’ll go on vacation and swim with tropical fish and that moment of tranquility will be ingrained in your brain forever.

Your transplant-centric milestones and gratitude will only grow over time, as will your friendship with your donor and friend.

One day, you’ll write a blog about this long, strange trip and won’t be able to imagine life without it.

Welcome to DonorTalks, a podcast that intimately explores the experiences of living donors. Join us for raw and real discussions about life after donating. Featuring a new guest each episode, this is your go-to podcast on everything living donor-related.

In Episode 1, Alex speaks with Michael, the father of our founder, Karin, who gave his daughter the gift of life through kidney donation. These deeply personal stories show what it truly means to step up for someone you love —and even a stranger.

In Episode 2, Alex Berrios speaks with his close friend Matt—a living donor who once considered giving Alex his kidney. These deeply personal stories show what it truly means to step up for someone you love —and even a stranger.

By Taryn Servold

Every April, we observe Donate Life Month, a national campaign to raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation. It’s a time to honor the donors who gave the gift of life and to encourage others to consider registering as donors.

For me, Donate Life Month hits home. I’m living proof of what’s possible when someone chooses to give — even in the midst of unthinkable loss.

Organ Donation: The Facts That Matter

Organ donation often gets overlooked in everyday conversations, but the need is real — and urgent:

  • There are over 100,000 people waiting for a transplant in the U.S., and around 85% of them need a kidney.
  • Every 8 minutes, another person is added to the national transplant waiting list.
  • 17 people die each day waiting for an organ that never comes.
  • One organ donor can save up to 8 lives — and improve the lives of 75 or more through eye and tissue donation.
  • Most people can be donors, regardless of age or medical history. Each case is reviewed individually at the time of death.
  • Living donors can also save lives — particularly when it comes to kidney and partial liver transplants.

Despite all this, only about 60% of Americans are registered as organ donors, and the demand far exceeds the supply.

My Life After August 14, 2022

Since my transplant, everything has changed. I no longer need insulin. My kidney function is strong. I feel better than I ever imagined possible — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.

Before the surgery, every day was filled with uncertainty. Now, I can plan. I can work. I can travel. I can enjoy life without constantly managing blood sugar and anticipating the fatigue of kidney failure.

And most importantly, I carry the legacy of my donor with me every single day. Their decision gave me a second chance, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of them — and their family — with the deepest gratitude.

How You Can Make a Difference

If you’ve ever wondered about becoming a donor, here’s how you can help:

  • Register today at www.RegisterMe.org — it takes less than a minute.
  • Share your decision with your family. In a time of loss, knowing your wishes can bring peace and clarity to your loved ones.
  • Become a living donor. If you’re healthy, you could be the match someone desperately needs — today.
  • Spread awareness, especially during April. Wear blue and green on April 19th for National Donate Life Blue & Green Day, and share your story or support online.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to take life for granted — until you’re faced with losing it. I got my life back on August 14, 2022, thanks to someone I will never meet but will forever honor. That person — that donor — gave me more than just organs. They gave me freedom. They gave me time. They gave me tomorrows.” 

What Are Clinical Trials?

Clinical studies are research studies performed in people as a way to understand new medicines, devices, procedures, and treatments. The objective is to determine if they are safe and effective. Such studies are sometimes also called “Clinical trials”. Often a clinical study is performed to evaluate if a new medication or treatment method is more or equally effective and/or has fewer or less harmful side effects than the existing treatment.

A clinical study performed in the United States must be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the hospital or center where the study is being performed. Both must affirm the study to be ethical, as safe as possible, and valuable to patients and science in the future. Every patient who is entered into a study must sign an “informed consent” (permission) form to be entered into the study after being given a thorough explanation of the study, both verbally and in writing. Studies performed in minors must have parents or guardians give their approval.

What Are the Phases of Clinical Research?

Clinical research includes four phases to test a potential treatment’s effectiveness, find the appropriate dosage (or amount of the drug that works best), and to understand the potential side effects that people might experience when taking the experimental treatment.

Before even starting a Phase I first-in-human study, researchers must conduct “preclinical studies” to see if there is a potential benefit of the new treatment for a specific disease by testing the treatment in animals (or other models). These preclinical studies must show the experimental treatment at doses to be tested in humans has a positive benefit-risk assessment to allow for its use in the experimental setting of a clinical study. The FDA must agree with the preclinical study results to move forward.  

  1. Phase I Studies test an experimental medication or treatment on a small group of often healthy people (generally 20 to 80) and preferably with an equal number of men and woman representing various major races, if possible, to judge the drug’s safety, to understand any major side effects and to estimate the correct drug dosage (amount that works best) and the ideal frequency of use.
  2. Phase II Studies use more people (100 to 300). While the emphasis in Phase I is on safety, the emphasis in Phase II is on effectiveness (how well it works) along with safety. This phase aims to obtain preliminary data (information) on whether the drug works in patients who have a specific disease and often includes further evaluation of doses for future study. These studies also continue to study safety, including short-term side effects. It is preferred that men and women are equally represented and that all races be adequately represented.
  3. Phase III Studies gather more information about safety and effectiveness of the medication or treatment in a much larger population. Importantly, the Phase III study compares the new drug against the standard of care from an efficacy and safety perspective. It may also be compared to use of no other drug or a “placebo” (a pill that looks the same but has no drug inside it). The patients are randomized to get the experimental treatment to avoid bias in patient selection. This decision may be hidden (“blind”) from the investigator or known to the investigator (“open”). The study and control patients should have equal representations of race, gender, age, and defined disease conditions. Some studies may evaluate different dosages of the drug or use the drug in combination with other drugs. The number of people participating in this phase is defined upfront to deliver statistically valid data and reach a well-defined conclusion. The number of patients in Phase III trials range from several hundred to thousands of subjects. To give the experimental drug final approval, the FDA must agree that the drug is efficacious and has an acceptable safety profile. [ML1] In addition, the study must be performed precisely as described and the result recorded accurately.
  • Phase IV Studies take place after the FDA approves the use of the drug. The purpose is to assure the safety of the drug in a larger number of patients over a longer period of time. A drug’s effectiveness and safety are monitored in large, diverse populations. Sometimes, the side effects of a drug may not become clear until more people have taken it for a while. In addition, Phase IV studies are often used to collect additional efficacy and safety data in broader sets of patient populations.

Why Participate in a Clinical Study?

Some people join a study because the treatments they have tried for their health problem did not work or there is no treatment for their health problem. Some studies are designed to help find better ways to prevent, treat, or manage a disease. For example, a goal can include finding a treatment with fewer side effects or an improved quality of life.

Many people say participating in a clinical study is a way to play a more active role in their own health care. Other people say they want to help researchers learn more about certain health problems. Whatever the motivation, when people choose to participate in a clinical study, they become a partner in scientific discovery. And this contribution can help future generations lead healthier lives. Major medical breakthroughs could not happen without the generosity of clinical study participants.

How Do You Find and Enroll into a Clinical Study?

Individuals can find information about ongoing clinical studies through their doctors or health care providers. They can also search online or sign up for a matching service to get connected to a study of the treatment of their disease in the area where they live. Studies are often conducted at more than one research center and may require the patient to live / stay within a certain distance from the center where the study is conducted.

To enroll into a clinical study, the patient must contact the clinical study investigator or study coordinator to schedule a screening appointment to see if he/she qualifies. At times, study teams may contact potential patients to invite them for a visit to see if they are interested in participating in the study. If the patient is interested in participating, they will participate in an initial study visit to explain the protocol (what will happen in the study), obtain patient consent, and recruit the patient. There are certain specific inclusion / exclusion criteria for each patient.  Age, stage of disease, gender, genetic profile, family history, need for other drugs that may interfere with the tested drug, and whether or not the patient has a study partner who can accompany him/her to future visits are examples of inclusion / exclusion criteria. Exclusion criteria might also include specific high risk health conditions. Importantly, a patient may only participate in one research study at a time.

The screening process includes both a thorough history (what has happened to a patient with their health over their entire life) and a comprehensive physical examination, as well as cognitive (mental) tests. Often, one first completes a questionnaire or a survey online, which is followed by a phone call with the study coordinator. Then, an in-person screening visit at the study site with an investigator and/or the study coordinator might include a physical examination and review of candidate’s medical history. Laboratory testing (e.g. blood tests, urine test) and/or special diagnostic testing (e.g. x-ray, MRI, CT scan) may also be required.

Before any laboratory/diagnostic tests are performed or any screening documents are completed, the candidate must review and sign a participant information sheet and an informed consent form. This document is not a contract; it represents an agreement to participate in the study and an understanding of what it will involve. For example, it will outline the purpose of the study, what participation is required of the candidate (how long it lasts, initial visits, follow-ups procedures), risks / benefits, compensation, confidentiality, and more). You may withdraw your consent and leave the study at any time.

What Happens to You During a Clinical Study?

If accepted into the study, you will then be randomly assigned (“blindly” or “knowingly”) to the treatment group or to the control group. The control group does not receive the experimental treatment, which permits the study staff to compare the results in patients who receive the experimental item versus those who do not receive the medication being tested. The control group may receive a placebo (inactive pill or injection), or the standard of care treatments generally administered to the patients with the disease being studied. Some studies are partially/single-blinded, meaning that either you or the study staff do not know which group you are in, or double-blinded, meaning both you and the study staff do not know which group you are in. This helps remove any biases when analyzing the results of the treatment at the conclusion of the study.

Throughout the duration of the study, the candidate must adhere to the study procedures and protocols, and report any issues, deviations, or concerns to researchers (these are known as adverse events and adverse reactions). You may be asked to visit the research site at regularly scheduled times to receive treatment and/or for new cognitive (mental), physical, or other evaluations and discussions with the study staff. At these visits, the research team collects information about effects of the treatment and about your safety and well-being. You continue to see your regular physician for usual health care throughout the study.

What Happens When a Clinical Study Ends?

Once a clinical study has ended, the researchers will collect and analyze the data to determine what subsequent steps are needed as a result of the findings in the study. The analysis of the results are generally posted on the website clinicaltrials.gov within 12 months of the completion of the study, at which time a press release may be issued announcing the results. In most cases, the findings will also be presented at a scientific meeting and published in a scientific journal. The study findings, together with the protocol and other documents, will be filed with the FDA for their review with the goal of having the new drug (or its new use) approved and licensed for use. Upon approval, the drug can be launched and promoted. As a participant, the candidate should be informed before entering the study about whether he or she will continue to receive the study treatment if appropriate and desirable after the study closes (ends), and how to be kept informed about the results of the study. 

This article is made possible by the support of ITB-MED LLC. 

Glossary of Definitions

Adverse event: Any health problem that happens during the study.

Adverse reaction: A health problem that happens during the study and is possibly caused by the study treatment.

Assessment: Information that is collected and analyzed from a study participant.

Clinical benefit: A health change that researchers measure to find out if the study treatment helps the study participants.

Clinical research: A controlled way to study health and illness in people.

Clinical study (trial): A way to study new drugs, devices and treatments to see if they are safe and work in people.

Confidentiality: Protecting personal information from people who should not have access.

Consent form: A document used to explain the details of the research study.

Control group: People in a study who do not have the condition being studied.

Data: Information collected from or about people taking part in a research study.

Discontinue: To stop a study treatment or stop being a participant in the study.

Double-blind study: A study that is set up so that participants do not know which study treatment they are getting, and researchers do not know either.

Efficacy: How well a study treatment works in the study.

Eligibility criteria: The reasons a person can be included in, or excluded from, a study.

Endpoint: A measure of the expected effect of the study treatment (for example, lower blood pressure or reduced sleeplessness).

Enroll: Agree to join a study as a study participant.

Exclusion criteria: A list of reasons a person cannot be included in a study.

Inclusion criteria: A list of requirements a person must meet to take part in a study.

Informed consent: The process of learning and discussing the details of a research study before deciding whether to take part.

Institutional review board (IRB): A team of people who review studies to protect the rights and welfare of study participants.

Investigator: A person who leads a research study.

Phase: A step in the overall clinical research process to test a new drug or treatment.

Placebo:  A substance or treatment which is designed to have no therapeutic value, a so called “sugar pill”.

Preclinical study: A study to test a treatment in the lab or in animals before testing it in people.

Protocol: A complete description of the research plan and procedures.

Randomization: A way to use chance to place study participants into different study treatment groups.

Side effect: A health problem that is likely caused by an approved treatment.

Single-blind study: A study that is set up so that participants do not know which study treatment they are getting.

Standard of care: Treatment usually given to patients for an illness.

Study design: The way a study is set up to answer the study question.

Study participant: A person who joins a research study.

Study population: All the participants in a study.

Withdraw: To stop being a participant in a study.

Sources and more information:

The field of transplant medicine is undergoing transformative changes that are set to significantly improve the management and outcomes of organ transplantation. These advancements are very important for transplant recipients, offering them the potential for a better quality of life, longer organ survival with better function as well as fewer short and long-term complications.

Transplant Medications

In this field, scientists are working hard to find alternatives to calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). CNIs are the main drugs used to stop the body from rejecting transplanted organs. However, they can be nephrotoxic (damaging to the kidneys) which not only affects kidney transplant patients but also those who have received heart, lung, or liver transplants. CNIs can cause high blood pressure, kidney problems, memory issues, and new cases of diabetes. Researchers want to find new treatments that are safer and just as effective as CNIs. This is important because it could help people live healthier, longer lives after their transplants.

[ML1] Another medicine available today, belatacept[LB2] , helps stop the immune system from attacking the new organ by blocking the activation of certain immune cells in your body. There are other new drugs in clinical trials that target parts of the immune cells to modify their activity. With any luck in years to come, we may have additional medicines that doctors can prescribe for their patients.

More Organs

While over 46,000 transplants were performed in 2023, there are around 100,000 people on the waitlist. The primary reason someone cannot get a transplant is the limited number of kidneys available. Someone either has to die and donate an organ, or someone needs to voluntarily give a kidney to a recipient. The system needs more organs, and despite great efforts to educate people on the value of kidney donation, we still do not have enough organs. More than 17 people die each day on the waitlist, as they cannot wait any longer. We need more organs. [REF]

Scientists are turning to new sources of organs, such as xenotransplantation, to address this urgent demand. Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of animal organs into humans. It has gained traction in recent years through advances in gene editing. Scientists can change pigs to make their organs more like human organs by adding some human genes and taking away some pig genes that humans react badly to. Pigs are the favored xenograft (organ) donors because their kidneys, heart, lung, and pancreas function similarly to those of humans. Their livers do not. Pigs have big litters, usually six or more, and their pregnancies only last 60-65 days, so many pigs can be born in a short time.

Alongside xenotransplantation, advancements in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine will [LB3] enable the creation of new organs from a recipient’s own cells. This development could not only significantly shorten waiting times but also significantly decrease the risk of rejection.

Other Improvements

Cell therapy, including new methods using stem cells, aims to help the body accept transplants without needing lifelong medication to stop rejection (i.e., tolerance). For patients, this could mean living without the risk of medication side effects like infections and cancer. Cell therapy might also be used in ways that could make the need for a transplant unnecessary.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is improving the organ matching process (i.e., helping people in need match better with new organs), predicting how well the transplant will go, and choosing the best medicines to prevent rejection and side effects. For people who get transplants, this means a better chance of success and care.

Even though these new technologies are exciting, as with any new technology, there are limits, rules, ethical issues, and high costs. But the potential benefits, such as living longer, having fewer health problems, and more available organs, are very important for people who need transplants.

The shift towards these new technologies could redefine the definition of “normal” of post-transplant care, offering recipients a life that is not only longer but also free from the burdens of current immunosuppressive medicines.  Understanding these new developments is essential for transplant patients to make more informed decisions about their health.

In conclusion, the current advancements in the development of transplant medication are set to potentially revolutionize the field, directly impacting recipients by offering them safer and more effective treatment options, a potentially limitless organ supply, and a significantly improved quality of life. These changes highlight why recipients should remain informed, supportive, and proactive about the evolving landscape of transplant medicine.

This article is made possible by the support of ITB-MED LLC. 

Glossary

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Computer systems that can help doctors match organs to recipients, predict transplant outcomes, and customize drug treatments to reduce rejection and side effects.

Belatacept: A drug that helps prevent organ rejection by blocking the activation of T-cells, which are part of the immune system.

Calcineurin Inhibitors (CNIs): A type of medication used to prevent organ rejection, but they can harm the kidneys and cause other side effects like high blood pressure, memory problems, and diabetes.

Cell Therapy: Using cells, like stem cells, to treat diseases and help the body accept a transplanted organ without needing strong immune-suppressing drugs.

Ethical Issues: Concerns about what is right or wrong in medical practices, such as using animal organs in humans.

Gene Editing: Changing the genes of an animal to make their organs more suitable for human transplantation.

Immunosuppressive Regimens: The specific plan and types of drugs used to keep the immune system from rejecting a transplanted organ.

Nephrotoxic: Something that is harmful to the kidneys.

Organ Matching: The process of finding the best donor organ for a recipient based on various factors to increase the chances of a successful transplant.

Post-Transplant Care: The ongoing medical care and treatment that a patient needs after receiving a new organ.

Quality of Life: The general well-being of a person, including their health, comfort, and happiness.

Regenerative Medicine: Using techniques to regrow or repair damaged tissues and organs in the body.

Stem Cells: Special cells that can develop into different types of cells in the body and can be used to repair or replace damaged tissues.

Tissue Engineering: Creating new organs from a patient’s own cells to reduce the risk of rejection and eliminate the need for a donor organ.

Transplant Medications: Drugs that help the body accept a new organ and prevent it from being rejected.

Xenotransplantation: Transplanting organs from animals, like pigs, into humans.

 [LB3]“may” or will?

For transplant patients, the journey doesn’t end with a successful surgery. One of the critical aspects of post-transplant care is the use of types of drugs called “immunosuppressants”. These medications play a critical role in stopping the body’s immune system from rejecting the new organ. Understanding the types, functions, and importance of these medications, as well as the challenges in managing them, is very important for transplant recipients.

Types of Transplant Medications and Their Functions

Immunosuppressants can be broadly classified into several categories, each playing a unique role in ensuring the transplanted organ is not rejected:

  1. Calcineurin Inhibitors (CNIs): These include drugs like cyclosporine and tacrolimus. CNIs inhibit (i.e., slow down or stop) the activity of calcineurin, a protein that activates T-cells of the immune system thereby preventing rejection.
  2. Antiproliferative Agents: Medications such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and azathioprine fall into this category. They work by inhibiting the growth of immune cells, further reducing the risk of rejection.
  3. mTOR Inhibitors: Drugs like sirolimus and everolimus inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a key protein involved in cell growth and proliferation, thus helping control the immune response.
  4. Steroids: Prednisone is a common steroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress (lower the activity of) the immune system. While highly effective, long-term use can lead to significant side effects.

NOTE: these are complicated terms and it may be hard to understand. Keep reading and refer back to the four types of drugs as needed.

Importance of Adherence to Medication Regimens

Adherence, which means consistently taking your medicine as instructed by your doctor, is crucial for transplant patients. Missing a dose of medication or not taking your medication at the correct time can lead to not having enough of the drugs that calm the immune system, which would increase the risk of organ rejection. Conversely, taking too much can be harmful as well. Therefore, it is very important for patients to follow their medication schedule with great care, go to their doctor and laboratory appointments, and share any issues with their healthcare team.

Challenges in Transplant Medication Management

Managing transplant medications can be hard due to many factors, including side effects, complications, and the complexity of the medication regimen.

Side Effects and Complications

Immunosuppressants, while lifesaving, come with a range of side effects. Common issues include:

  • Infections: Suppressing the immune system increases the risk of infections.
  • Kidney Damage: Particularly with CNIs, these drugs can hurt your kidney over time due to scarring.
  • High Blood Pressure and Diabetes: These are common side effects of steroids and CNIs.
  • Gastrointestinal Issues: Such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, often seen with antiproliferative agents.
  • Neurotoxicity: Tremors (or shaking), the most common finding, but also difficulty sleeping, brain fog, headache, dizziness, impaired sense of touch, light sensitivity and mood disturbance
  • Cancer: Skin cancers, lymphomas, and other malignancies, as the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy cancerous cells is diminished.

Strategies for Managing Side Effects

Effective strategies to manage side effects include:

  • Regular Monitoring: Transplant recipients need to get frequent blood tests to measure the levels of drugs in their system (and make sure there is not too much or too little of any drug) and to test how well the kidney is functioning.
  • Lifestyle Adjustments: Transplant recipients can change their diet and add or modify their exercise routine to help manage or avoid high blood pressure and diabetes.
  • Preventative Medications: Sometimes doctors will prescribe antibiotics (that fight infections) or antivirals (that fight viruses) to prevent infections (especially during the first few months after the transplant).

Addressing Non-Adherence and Its Implications

Non-adherence (not taking drugs as prescribed by your doctor) to immunosuppressant therapy can lead to severe consequences, including acute organ rejection and failure of the new transplant. Why would someone not take their medicines? Well, it is a pretty complex combination of drugs that need to be taken consistently, there is the possibility of side effects that might not be pleasant, and perhaps some people do not understand how important these medications are.

Some tips to keep on the program as prescribed by your doctor:

  • Educate: Learn as much as you can about your drugs and how important they are. Also learn from other transplant recipients how they are managing to follow their routines successfully. Check out more articles on TransplantLyfe to help stay informed and meet people who are on the same journey.
  • Simplify: Ask your doctor if there are any combination pills or options to reducing the number of daily doses to make it easier for patients to stick to your schedule. Perhaps try a pill box to sort drugs into morning and evening groups. And you can plan your drugs for the week ahead. You can also use an alarm clock or your phone to set reminders.
  • Support: Ask family members, care partners, or support groups to help out. Reminders to do what you are meant to do, as well as a good bit of emotional support, are helpful.

Conclusion

Immunosuppressant medicines are a very critical part of post-transplant care as they are essential for preventing organ rejection. Understanding the different types of medications, their functions, and the importance of taking them correctly are crucial for transplant patients. While challenges exist, there are ways to help manage these issues, ensuring the long-term success of the transplant. Always consult with healthcare providers to ask questions and learn how to match the professionals’ recommendations with your individual needs and circumstances.

This article is made possible by the support of ITB-MED LLC. 

What is Immunology?

Immunology is all about how our bodies defend themselves against germs and other invaders. Imagine your body as a castle, and the immune system is the army protecting it from enemy attacks. This army has cells, tissues, and organs. They work together to keep you safe from viruses and bacteria.

But here’s where it gets really interesting: the immune system isn’t just about fighting off bad guys. It also helps our bodies accept or reject things that don’t belong, like when someone gets an organ transplant. See, when someone gets a new organ, their immune system might see it as foreign, think it is a threat and try to attack it, thinking it’s an invader. Immunology helps us understand how to prevent this from happening, so the new organ can stay and do its job without any trouble.

In simple terms, immunology is about how our bodies stay healthy. They do this by fighting off germs and ensuring that everything inside works well together.

What is Rejection?

Rejection is when the body’s defense system, called the immune system, treats a transplanted organ or tissue as if it doesn’t belong.  This can cause serious damage or even make the new organ stop working. To prevent this, doctors use special medicines called immunosuppressive medicines to calm down the immune system and stop it from attacking the new organ.

Types of Rejection

There are three types of rejection that transplant patients may experience:

  1. Hyperacute Rejection: This is when rejection happens super quickly, within minutes to hours after the transplant. It’s not very common nowadays because doctors are really good at matching organs to patients. But if there’s a big mismatch in blood type or other cells in the body (called major histocompatibility complexes) it could still happen.
  2. Acute Rejection: This is the most common type and it usually occurs within days to months after the transplant. Even if doctors give patients medicines to calm down (or “modulate”) their immune systems, some level of acute rejection can still happen.
  3. Chronic Rejection: This is the trickiest type because it can take months or even years to show up. With chronic rejection, the organ slowly stops working as well as it should. It’s a more complicated situation because it can involve lots of different factors, not just the immune system.

Causes of Rejection

Rejection mostly happens because of genetic differences between the person who gets the organ (the recipient) and the person who donated it. This means the body might notice that something in the new organ is a bit different from its own.

HLAs (human leukocyte antigens) are like little tags or markers on our cells. They help our immune system recognize which cells belong to us and which ones do not. Imagine each cell in your body wearing a name tag. Your immune system looks at these name tags to make sure everything is okay. But when someone gets an organ transplant, the new organ might have different name tags (HLAs) than the rest of their body. This can confuse the immune system and make it think the new organ is an intruder.

If your immune system spots an intruder, it can fight against this new organ, leading to rejection. Even though doctors give patients medicines to calm down their immune systems, they can’t completely get rid of the risk of rejection.

Signs of Rejection and Monitoring

It’s really important for someone who has had a transplant to keep an eye out for signs that their body might be rejecting the new organ. Here are some things they should watch for:

  • Pain or swelling where they had the transplant
  • Fever
  • Feeling tired a lot
  • The organ not working as well as it should (like making less urine if it’s a kidney transplant)
  • High blood pressure (for kidney transplants)
  • Having trouble breathing (for lung transplants)

It’s also important for organ recipients to see their doctors regularly so they can do tests to make sure everything is going okay. These tests might include blood tests, imaging (pictures of the inside of the body), and sometimes biopsies, which is taking tiny pieces of tissue from the organ to check it under a microscope. This helps catch any rejection early so it can be treated quickly.

What is Tolerance?

Tolerance in transplant means that the body accepts the new organ or tissue without needing lots of medicine (immunosuppression) to keep the immune system calm. It’s like the body and the new organ becoming best friends, so the immune system doesn’t see it as a stranger anymore.

Scientists are working hard to figure out how to make this happen more often because it would make life a lot better for people who get transplants. They’re trying different methods, like using special immune cell types, certain therapies that change how the immune system works, and even new techniques like gene editing. The goal is to teach the immune system to treat the new organ like it belongs in the body, instead of trying to get rid of it.

Conclusion

Understanding how the body’s defense system works, which is called immunology, is really important for people who have had transplants. To make sure the new organ stays healthy and works well, it’s crucial for transplant patients to:

  1. Know the signs that the body might use to tell them that it might be rejecting the new organ;
  2. Take their immunosuppressive medicines as instructed by their doctors; and
  3. Go to their doctor for check-ups and testing regularly.

Scientists are hopeful that as they continue doing research, they will find ways to enable the body to more easily accept new organs, making a huge difference in the lives of people who have had transplants.

This article is made possible by the support of ITB-MED LLC. 

Glossary

Acute Rejection: A type of rejection that occurs within days to months after a transplant. It is common but usually treatable if caught early.

Biopsy: A medical test involving the removal of a small piece of tissue to examine it for signs of disease or rejection.

Chronic Rejection: A type of rejection that happens over a long time, causing gradual damage to the transplanted organ.

Gene Editing (CRISPR): A technique used in research to alter genes to help the immune system accept transplanted organs.

Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLAs): Proteins on the surface of cells that are unique to each person and help the immune system recognize which cells belong in the body and which do not.

Hyperacute Rejection: A type of rejection that happens very quickly, within minutes to hours after a transplant, due to immediate blood clotting in the transplanted organ.

Immune System: A complex network of cells, chemicals, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against harmful invaders.

Immunology: The study of the immune system, which protects the body from harmful things like viruses, bacteria, and even transplanted organs.

Immunosuppressive Drugs: Medications that reduce the activity of the immune system to prevent it from attacking the transplanted organ.

Long-Term Immunosuppression: Ongoing treatment with immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ.

Monitoring: Regular check-ups and tests with healthcare providers to detect and treat any signs of rejection early.

Rejection: When the immune system attacks a transplanted organ or tissue, thinking it is harmful.

Tolerance: A state in which the immune system accepts the transplanted organ as part of the body and does not attack it, reducing the need for long-term immunosuppressive drugs.