It is great news for kidney recipients as well as those on the waiting list. Scientists now announce the extended life spans of transplanted kidneys by a priceless two times, through a mix of varied drugs.
Scientists from the University Hospital in Cardiff who detailed their work in an organ transplant study entitled ‘Symphony’, say a combination of drugs including the standard one CellCept, will do the trick. The study involved 1,645 kidney patients from 15 countries.It was seen that early organ rejection was reduced by 52 percent compared with the other combinations tested, with far less toxic side effects.
Consequentially, it was predicted that the normal 10-year lifespan of a transplanted kidney would be extended to 20 years or more.
The scientists reported that used across the UK, the treatment protocol could save the NHS more than 100 kidneys a year. In addition, lesser transplant patients with "old" organs would have to be found new replacements, easing the pressure on waiting lists. The number of patients without functioning kidneys having to rely on dialysis would also be reduced, the scientists stressed.
Between 2005 and 2006, a total of 1,783 British patients received new kidneys.
The NHS list of patients waiting for new kidneys now stands at 5,971, but the total number of people in the UK needing a kidney, including those who do not meet the strict criteria for transplants laid down by the NHS, is estimated to be about 20,000.
Source-Medindia
ANN
