New Gene Therapy Could Make Donor Lungs 'Yours'

Human trials for a pioneering gene and stem cell therapy are scheduled to commence next year in Toronto. This novel treatment is designed to make donor lungs genetically similar to the recipient, thereby minimizing the chance of bodily rejection.

The therapy represents a significant advancement from the Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) platform, developed at Toronto General Hospital. This established method allows donor lungs to be sustained and evaluated outside the body for up to 12 hours, offering a window for potential repair.

Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Shaf Keshavjee stated that the ultimate aim is to develop organs that are so compatible they are essentially part of the recipient. He highlighted that currently, approximately 80% of donor lungs are not deemed clinically acceptable for transplant, and recipients face a median survival of about six and a half years.

Future aspirations include the possibility of repairing damaged organs directly within the body. The research also explores alternative organ sources, such as growing new organs from stem cells or utilizing animal lungs modified with human cells.