The average wait time for a kidney transplant is 3.5 years, but advancements in Hepatitis C treatments could lower that time through the use of HCV laden organs if a pilot trial at the University of Pennsylvania returns favorable results, according to Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News.
Here's what you should know.
1. Peter Reese, MD, Peter Abt, MD, and David Goldberg, MD, are leading a pilot trial where they are providing 10 patients with end-stage renal disease kidneys infected with HCV.
After the surgery, the patients will begin a 12-week treatment cycle with elbasvir-grazoprevir which has been proven to cure HCV, despite the patient's immunosuppressed status.
2. Before the trial launches, Dr. Abt has been talking with patients on the kidney waiting list to explain the trial to them.
He said in the report, "Many patients are fairly enthusiastic. … These are people who, for the most part, are facing quite a lengthy waiting time. Many understand that they can get a good-quality kidney and take years of time off dialysis, at least through our trial, and at the same time they understand there's probably a very minimal chance that the hepatitis would not be clear."
Dr. Abt said educating about the risks of the pioneering trial is of the utmost importance.
3. Dr. Goldberg said success with kidneys could allow other organs to be treated. Although "the kidney numbers don't translate directly into heart and lung numbers."
The team estimates that 100 to 200 heart transplant could be done a year if HCV donations were safe.
4. The team is conducting a cost-benefits analysis to determine if payors would cover the cost of the drug after a clinical trial.
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