The ImmunoFree blog offers a wide range of information on immune tolerance in kidney transplantation, post-transplant treatment for immune tolerance, and new technological advancements that can help transplant patients reduce or eliminate immunosuppressive medications.
I was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) when I was 19, shortly after my mother discovered she had it. My mom died just a few years later, at the age of 48, from complications related to PKD. I always knew that my kidneys would eventually fail, so it wasn’t a surprise when I went…
Kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), occurs when your kidneys are no longer able to perform their essential functions, such as filtering waste and excess fluids from your blood. If you or a loved one are facing kidney failure, you may wonder: Can kidney failure be cured? While there isn’t a direct…
I was originally diagnosed with kidney disease in around 1995, but I felt nothing from it. The only way I knew was from the blood work—I never felt sick. I even got on the fire department in 1999 with no issues. Then, around 2006, my blood work showed that my kidney function was starting to…
It’s been 15 years since I underwent stem cell transplantation to eliminate the need for immunosuppressive drugs after my kidney transplant, and I feel great. Before my kidney transplant, I did some research to learn about the stem cell study. My mother had polycystic kidney disease and two kidney transplants and basically died from the…
If you are a candidate for a kidney transplant, you may have heard the term cPRA. Here’s what that term means and how it relates to your ability to find a suitable kidney donor. In transplants, cPRA, which stands for calculated panel reactive antibody, is a score that indicates the patient’s degree of medical compatibility…
Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) is a medical condition that can occur after organ transplantation when donor cells attack the recipient’s tissues. GVHD most commonly occurs after an allogeneic stem cell or bone marrow transplant. With GVHD, the donor’s immune cells (graft) see the recipient’s body (host) as foreign and mount an immune response against…
If you are a candidate for a kidney transplant, you might have heard the term “immune tolerance.” What does immune tolerance mean, and why is it important for kidney transplant recipients? The immune system acts as the body’s defense force, keeping it healthy by fighting off foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. However, sometimes it…
You may have heard the term “immunocompromised,” or “immune-compromised,” in various health-related discussions, such as those related to COVID-19, where health authorities warned that people who were immunocompromised were especially susceptible to the disease. Being immunocompromised is also a significant issue in the transplant industry. But what does it actually mean to be immunocompromised? To…
Kidney transplants are life-changing procedures that can significantly improve the health and well-being of individuals with kidney disease. For many people experiencing kidney failure, a kidney transplant is the best option. However, people considering a kidney transplant may wonder whether getting a kidney transplant has any impact on the immune system. The bottom line is,…
A kidney transplant can be life-changing for individuals diagnosed with kidney failure, offering the chance for a longer, healthier life. But what happens after the transplant? Do kidney transplant recipients have to take medication after the transplant? With a successful kidney transplant, the journey doesn’t end in the operating room. To ensure the long-term success…