Future Directions

Solid organ transplantation is one of the miracles of modern medicine: it saves lives and improves the quality of patients' lives. The future of transplantation is one full of exciting possibilities. New options include vascularized composite allograft (such as face or hand) transplants, protocols permitted the successful minimization or even discontinuation 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 allow the development of these new therapies and their translation into generalized clinical practice.

Progress continues to be made in xenotransplantation (the transplantation of organs from other species into humans) as an alternative to human organ transplantation, through genetic engineering of donor organs to make them more compatible with humans. New biomechanical devices to replace organ function (kidney, pancreas, heart, lung and liver) are under development and show promise.

The development of the field of pharmacogenomics (the genetic makeup of a person that determines how their body responds to specific medications) will enable accurate individualization in the selection and dosing of medications, including transplant medications. Similarly, the identification of the genes involved in specific disease processes will also permit the development of new precise therapeutic agents.

For the promise of these new therapies to be fully realized, all those who stand to benefit (pediatric and adult patients) must have access to transplantation through affordable insurance including immunosuppressive drug coverage.

In summary, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) believes that the field of organ transplantation is on the threshold of major advances that will only realize their full potential to improve the lives of our patients through continued strong support for basic science and clinical research and guaranteed access to care.

Approved by the AST Board of Directors, April 13, 2009
Revised and approved by the Board of Directors, September 6, 2011