Renal Failure

Renal transplantation has transformed the lives of countless patients with end-stage renal disease, offering a new lease on life through the transplantation of a healthy kidney. However, one of the most significant challenges faced in the field of transplantation is the art and science of maintaining residual immunosuppression in failing allografts. This complex issue has far-reaching implications for both kidney transplant patients and healthcare providers, making it a critical topic of discussion and research.

Maintaining residual immunosuppression in failing allografts is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it directly impacts the longevity and functionality of the transplanted kidney. Allograft failure can lead to graft loss, requiring patients to return to dialysis, with its associated morbidity and mortality. Secondly, failing allografts often result from immune-mediated processes that require careful management. Thirdly, maintaining immunosuppression in transplant patients with failed grafts may provide an advantage of avoiding hypersensitization and consequently, complicating the prospects for a second transplant.

Understanding how to preserve immunosuppression in these situations can prevent graft rejection and improve long-term patient outcomes. Lastly, this subject is important as it bridges the gap between the artistic judgment of experienced clinicians and the scientific understanding of immunosuppressive strategies, offering an opportunity to optimize treatment protocols and refine best practices and novel strategies in the field of kidney transplantation.

Our proposal aims to establish a collection of articles dedicated to "Renal Transplantation: The Art and Science of Maintaining Residual Immunosuppression in Failing Allografts." This collection is well-suited for publication in esteemed journals focusing on transplantation, nephrology, and immunology. The subtopics within this collection will cover a comprehensive range of subjects:

1. Immunosuppressive Strategies: Discussing the current and emerging immunosuppressive agents and their application in managing failing allografts.
2. Immunological Mechanisms: Exploring the immunological pathways leading to allograft rejection and how to target them effectively.
3. Clinical Decision-Making: Highlighting the clinical nuances and expert opinions in managing challenging cases of failing allografts.
4. Patient Outcomes: Analyzing the impact of residual immunosuppression on patient survival, graft survival, and quality of life.
5. Innovative Therapies: Investigating novel therapies, including cellular therapies and precision medicine, that can revolutionize the approach to maintaining immunosuppression.

This collection shall serve as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare providers in the field of renal transplantation, fostering a deeper understanding of the delicate balance required to maintain immunosuppression in failing allografts and ultimately improving patient care and outcomes. The proposed article types for this collection include original research, review articles, clinical case studies, and expert opinions, providing a holistic view of the topic.

Keywords: kidney transplant, failing graft, immunosuppression, allograft failure, graft survival, and transplant immunology

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Guest Advisors:

Dr. Karim Soliman, M.D. is a transplant nephrologist who specializes in kidney and pancreas transplantation. Dr. Soliman received his medical degree from the Cairo University School of Medicine in Egypt, where he graduated with highest honors. He spent ten years at Cairo University as a resident then assistant lecturer where he earned his Master’s degree and defended his Doctoral thesis in transplant nephrology before moving to the United States. Upon his relocation, he joined the Medical University of South Carolina to complete a clinical nephrology fellowship before being appointed as an Assistant Professor and subsequently Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery in the Transplant Nephrology division. Dr. Soliman is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology. In addition to authoring pocket-guides and book chapters on kidney and transplantation, he has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals.  He received multiple awards and has been an invited speaker at regional and national meetings. He currently serves as the Medical Director of Living Kidney Donation at the Medical University of South Carolina, as well as the Medical Director of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System's Kidney Transplant Program. Link: https://education.musc.edu/MUSCApps/facultydirectory/Soliman-Karim

Dr. Mohammed Abdel Gawad, M.D., ESENeph is a lecturer of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Newgiza University. He graduated from Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, 2004. He obtained his Master in Nephrology, 2012 from Alexandria University and Doctorate in Nephrology from Mansoura University, 2021. He also obtained European Specialty in Nephrology (ESENeph) in 2021. Dr. Gawad is a member of Egyptian Renal Data System (ERDS) Committee where they publish a yearly statistical registry about hemodialysis patients in Egypt. He has multiple activities with the international Nephrology associations, he is the chair of Web and Media Committee - African Association of Nephrology (AFRAN), a member of ISN Africa Reginal Board - International Society of Nephrology (ISN), a member of ISN education social media team - International Society of Nephrology (ISN). He has multiple publications in Nephrology. He is a member of “Renal Failure” Journal editorial board and a member of “African Journal of Nephrology” editorial team: visual abstracts creator. He is founder and chairman of one of the educational platforms for nephrologists which is NephroTube. He has many shared educational videos and lectures about nephrology practice.

Disclosure Statement: Both Dr. Soliman and Dr. Gawad declare there is no conflict of interest.

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All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is October 31st, 2024.

Please contact Ruby Ru at [email protected] with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

To submit your papers to this Article Collection, please:

1. Check "yes" for the question, "Are you submitting your paper for a specific special issue or article collection?"
2. Select the relevant Article Collection from the drop-down menu under the question, "Special Issue or Article Collection Name."

Instructions for AuthorsSubmit an Article