Eight-year-old girl's immune system reprogrammed in UK-first kidney transplant

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } Eight-year-old girl's immune system reprogrammed in UK-first kidney transplantScience > HealthAn eight-year-old girl in the UK has undergone a kidney transplant that reprogrammed her immune system, eliminating the need for lifelong immunosuppressant drugs. The stem cell transplant used bone marrow from the girl's mother, who also donated the kidney. The pioneering treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London allows the new kidney to function without the risk of rejection. The girl, Aditi Shankar, has stopped taking immunosuppressants just a month after the surgery.

What's happened

An eight-year-old girl in the UK has had her immune system reprogrammed through a kidney transplant using stem cells from her mother, eliminating the need for lifelong immunosuppressant drugs.

Why it matters

This UK-first treatment is significant as it offers a potential solution to the lifelong dependency on immunosuppressant drugs for transplant recipients, reducing the risk of infection and complications.

What the papers say

The Times reports that Aditi Shankar had her immune system reprogrammed through a stem cell transplant using bone marrow from her mother, who also donated the kidney. The Independent and Metro provide similar accounts of the treatment, highlighting the significance of eliminating the need for lifelong immunosuppressant drugs. BBC News shares a different story about a woman who found a bone marrow donor that saved her life, emphasizing the importance of bone marrow donation.

How we got here

The development of this UK-first treatment is a significant advancement in the field of organ transplantation, offering hope to transplant recipients who currently rely on lifelong immunosuppressant drugs to prevent organ rejection.