British Columbia will become the first jurisdiction in the world to test an innovative method of matching donor organs to recipients, thanks to a new project being led by researchers at the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
By better matching donors and recipients, the project aims to prevent organ rejection and reduce the need for patients to take harmful immune-suppressing drugs, leading to better health outcomes and quality of life.
“Our research is introducing a new form of precision medicine for transplant patients that could ultimately reduce the need for subsequent organ transplants,” says principal investigator Dr. Paul Keown, a professor of nephrology at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine and a specialist in immunology and transplantation at Vancouver General Hospital. “By reducing the risk of immune response through epitope-matching, we can give organ transplant patients the best chance at long-standing organ health with fewer complications.”
The project will implement the world’s first epitope-based matching program for Kidney transplants, starting first in B.C. and later extending across Canada.
Epitopes are segments of a crucial protein called Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA), which the body uses to distinguish itself from foreign entities. When the immune system detects foreign HLA or epitopes, such as those from a donor organ, it launches an attack. This immune response can be particularly dangerous for organ transplant patients, as it may lead to organ rejection, organ failure, the need for another transplant and potentially death.
The project is a partnership with Canadian Blood Services, BC Transplant and other health system and industry partners. The team was recently awarded $5.8 million from Genome BC, Genome Canada, Michael Smith Health Research BC, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and others.
“By integrating genomics and precision medicine, we are setting a new standard in transplant care,” said Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President of Research and Innovation, Genome BC. “Advanced epitope-matching techniques allow us to tailor treatments to each patient’s unique genetic profile, significantly reducing the risk of organ rejection.”
Dr. Keown is leading the project alongside Dr. James Lan, an assistant professor in UBC’s department of pathology and laboratory medicine and division of nephrology, and medical director of the Immunology Laboratory at Vancouver General Hospital. The team also includes Dr. Robert Liwski, medical director at Canadian Blood Services and Dalhousie University, as well as specialists across B.C. and Canada.
“Epitope-matching may soon enable us to limit the use of potent immunosuppression medications and see virtually no organ rejection among organ transplant patients.”
Dr. Paul Keown
By focusing on epitope matching, researchers hope to significantly reduce the risk of organ rejection, a major complication that can lead to graft failure and the need for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy.
“Epitope-matching may soon enable us to limit the use of potent immunosuppression medications and see virtually no organ rejection among organ transplant patients,” says Dr. Keown.
A made-in-B.C. solution for Canada
B.C. is a leader in organ transplantation research in Canada, driven by robust health research infrastructure, high donor rates and excellent clinical outcomes.
Dr. Keown’s leadership in transplantation and immunology have made him a well-known and highly regarded figure in his field. As a result, the province is well recognized for its pioneering work in precision medicine and genetic matching to reduce organ rejection rates, which positions it at the forefront of transplant research innovations.
“Every organ donation is truly a precious gift and BC Transplant is committed to exploring every option available to ensure these gifts have the longest life possible,” says Dr. Eric Lun, Executive Director of BC Transplant. “We are excited to support this ground-breaking initiative that aims to improve outcomes and quality of life for transplant recipients.”
The project is expected to have a significant national impact. When implemented across Canada, researchers estimate it could save the health system $100 million per year through preventing hospitalization, premature graft loss and death.
The Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, announced federal support for this project along with seven other new genomics research projects and four technology platforms this morning at Genome Canada’s national launch event in Ottawa.
A version of this story was originally published by Genome BC.