Strategies to Overcome HLA Sensitization in Kidney Transplantation

The field of kidney transplantation has seen significant advancements over the past decade, particularly in terms of short-term outcomes. However, long-term graft survival remains a challenge, with graft loss negatively impacting patient survival and increasing the number of patients on the waitlist for a subsequent transplant. One of the major risk factors contributing to this issue is HLA sensitization, which leads to antibody-mediated rejection and chronic allograft nephropathy, the most common cause of late graft failure. HLA sensitization also reduces the number of potential compatible donors for patients on the waitlist. Despite ongoing research and debates in the field, there is a need for better investigation and understanding of HLA sensitization and its impact on kidney transplantation.

The primary aim of this research topic is to review and explore the recent technical advances in immunogenetics that allow for better HLA characterization. It also aims to investigate new immunosuppressive therapies that can overcome the barriers of sensitization, and to evaluate the advancements in international allocation systems that can decrease the impact of sensitization. Furthermore, the research will delve into new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies to address both early and late kidney graft rejection.

The scope of this research topic is primarily focused on strategies to overcome HLA sensitization in kidney transplantation. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Advances in immunogenetic laboratorial techniques for HLA and non-HLA characterization
- Strategies to decrease HLA sensitization in chronic kidney disease patients
- Optimizing access to kidney transplants for highly sensitized patients
- New immunosuppressive regimens and desensitization protocols
- Strategies to promote longevity matching.