Latest news with #organtransplantation
Sustainability Times
25-06-2025
- Health
- Sustainability Times
'Human Organs Grown in Mice': This Shocking Breakthrough Could Revolutionize Transplants and Save Thousands of American Lives Each Year
IN A NUTSHELL 🧬 Scientists have successfully grown human cells within mouse organs, marking a significant advancement in chimera research . within mouse organs, marking a significant advancement in . 🔬 The novel method involves injecting 3D human tissue models, known as organoids , into the amniotic fluid of pregnant mice. , into the amniotic fluid of pregnant mice. ⚖️ Ethical concerns arise as the integration of human cells increases, particularly regarding potential human-like cognition . . 🏥 This research holds promise for revolutionizing organ transplantation and addressing critical organ shortages in the future. Recent advances in human-animal chimera research have opened a new chapter in medical science, potentially revolutionizing organ transplantation. Scientists have successfully grown human cells within the organs of mice, presenting a remarkable opportunity to study human tissue development. This groundbreaking work could eventually lead to custom-grown human organs for transplantation, addressing critical organ shortages and saving countless lives. The concept of chimeras, organisms containing cells from two different species, isn't entirely new, but the current methodologies have introduced innovative approaches that enhance our understanding and capabilities. The Novel Experiment In a bold and innovative step, researchers have developed a new method for integrating human cells into animal embryos. Traditional approaches, involving the introduction of human stem cells into animal embryos, often resulted in poor survival and integration rates. However, this novel experiment, as reported by Nature, adopts a different strategy. Instead of injecting individual stem cells into embryos, researchers now inject 3D human tissue models, known as organoids, into the amniotic fluid of pregnant mice. This method, led by Xiling Shen from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Qiang Huang from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, uses organoids derived from reprogrammed stem cells. These organoids are injected into the amniotic fluid of mice carrying early-stage embryos, allowing the embryos to develop naturally. Remarkably, this approach doesn't require puncturing the embryonic wall, highlighting its minimally invasive nature. 'Shortest X-Ray Pulse in History': US Scientists Smash Records With Ultrabrief Bursts That Could Transform Atomic Imaging Forever The results have been astonishing. Human cells began to integrate into the growing mouse embryos, with organoids targeting specific organs. Within a month, around 10% of the mouse pups displayed human cells in their intestines, constituting about 1% of intestinal cells. Though the proportions were lower in the liver and brain, these human cells were functional and remained stable, demonstrating the method's potential. Ethical Concerns While the scientific community celebrates these advancements, they also bring forth significant ethical challenges. As the proportion of human cells in these chimeras increases, particularly in the brain, concerns about human-like cognition and the ethical implications of such research gain prominence. This is not a new debate; similar ethical discussions arose in 2021 when a US-China team created human-monkey chimeric embryos. 'Hidden for 80 Million Years': Rare Dinosaur Egg Reveals Stunning Secrets Through Groundbreaking CT Scan Analysis These ethical considerations require careful examination and ongoing dialogue among scientists, ethicists, and policymakers to ensure responsible research practices. The potential for this research to address vital organ shortages is immense, yet it must be balanced with ethical responsibility. Continued research and transparent communication are essential to navigate these complex issues. Implications for Organ Transplantation The potential applications of this research in organ transplantation are profound. The ability to custom-grow human organs in animal hosts could drastically reduce waiting times for transplants, saving countless lives. Organ shortages remain a critical issue, with many patients unable to receive timely transplants. This innovative approach could revolutionize the field, providing a sustainable solution to this pressing problem. 'Clot-Free Cancer Breakthrough': Scientists Use Sea Cucumbers to Forge Next-Gen Therapies That Rewrite Treatment Norms Moreover, studying human tissue development in these chimeras offers invaluable insights into developmental biology, potentially leading to breakthroughs in understanding and treating various diseases. This research also raises the possibility of developing personalized organs tailored to individual patients, further enhancing the success rates of transplants and improving patient outcomes. The Road Ahead The journey to fully realizing the potential of human-animal chimeras is long and complex. Researchers must continue to refine these methodologies, ensuring the safe and ethical progression of this groundbreaking work. Collaboration across disciplines and international borders is crucial to address the scientific, ethical, and regulatory challenges that lie ahead. As the scientific community advances, it is essential to engage in open discussions about the implications of this research, ensuring that it aligns with societal values and ethical standards. The promise of a future where organ shortages no longer exist is a powerful motivator, driving researchers to push the boundaries of what is possible. The advancements in human-animal chimera research mark a significant milestone in medical science, offering hope for addressing critical organ shortages and enhancing our understanding of human biology. As scientists continue to explore these possibilities, they must navigate the ethical landscape with care and responsibility. How will society balance the incredible scientific potential of this research with the ethical considerations it entails? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (30)
Medscape
04-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Spain Nears Legal Shift on HIV-Positive Donors
Historically, the presence of HIV infection in a patient with end-stage organ failure has been considered an absolute contraindication for organ transplantation. However, advances in antiretroviral therapy have significantly improved life expectancy for people living with HIV to the extent that the condition is now generally managed as a chronic disease. At the same time, a growing number of these individuals are experiencing or dying from end-stage organ failure, prompting renewed debate about this long-standing contraindication. In addition, many national transplant policies require that organs from HIV-positive donors be discarded due to safety concerns. Even if the intended recipient is also HIV-positive, there is a risk of superinfection — acquiring a different strain of HIV from the donor, which may be resistant to certain antiretrovirals. There is also the potential for transmission of common coinfections. These issues were addressed during a roundtable session at the 28th Congress of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), held in Málaga, Spain, from May 22-25. The session, titled Advances in Solid Organ Transplantation in People Living With HIV: Use of HIV-Positive Donors, was moderated by Federico García, PhD, president of SEIMC, and Beatriz Domínguez, MD, PhD, managing director of Spain's National Transplant Organization. Expert speakers included Josep Maria Miró Meda, MD, PhD, Infectious Diseases Service, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Christine Durand, MD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore; and Paolo Grossi, MD, PhD, University of Insubria and ASST-Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy. The objectives of the session were to: Present clinical criteria and prognostic outcomes for solid organ transplantation in patients with HIV. Explore the perspectives of Spanish transplant experts on the use of HIV-positive donor organs for HIV-positive recipients — a practice that has been prohibited by Spanish law since 1987. Review the current regulatory landscape across the European Union regarding this practice. According to Domínguez, while Spain is widely recognized as a global leader in organ donation and transplantation, the country has fallen behind in its approach to transplant access for people living with HIV. International examples presented during the session, particularly from South Africa and the United States (under the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act), demonstrate that kidney and liver transplants from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive recipients can have favorable short- and medium-term outcomes. These data, presented by Durand, support the reconsideration of long-standing transplant restrictions. Miró Meda presented long-term outcomes from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, where, between 2003 and 2024, 81 patients living with HIV received organ transplants from HIV-negative donors. Of these, 85% survived at least 10 years posttransplant. These findings support a growing consensus that it is time to reconsider policies restricting the use of organs from HIV-positive donors and to recognize individuals living with HIV as eligible both to receive and donate organs. In late 2024, Spain began the legal process to repeal its longstanding ban on such transplants — a change expected to be finalized in the coming months. Looking ahead, experts identified a new frontier in transplantation: The use of organs from HIV-positive donors for HIV-negative recipients. While still controversial, this practice has already been implemented in South Africa under exceptional clinical circumstances — specifically, cases where the lack of a transplant would result in death. In these instances, the immediate benefits are considered to outweigh the potential risks, given that HIV is now a manageable chronic condition. Importantly, these transplants are performed only with the fully informed consent of the recipient. This evolving field raises important clinical and ethical questions: Could HIV transmission be prevented by initiating prophylactic antiretroviral therapy in the recipient? Does the principle of 'undetectable = untransmittable' apply in the setting of organ transplantation? Although these approaches are far from standard clinical practice, experts agree that the topic deserves careful consideration and open discussion.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TransMedics Group, Inc. (TMDX): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on TransMedics Group, Inc. (TMDX) on Substack by Oliver | MMMT Wealth. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on TMDX. TransMedics Group, Inc. (TMDX)'s share was trading at $95.81 as of May 7th. TMDX's trailing and forward P/E were 89.54 and 63.29 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. A doctor performing a living donor kidney transplant in a hospital operating room, emphasizing the importance of medical advancements. TransMedics (TMDX), founded by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Waleed Hassanein, is revolutionizing the field of organ transplantation with its proprietary warm perfusion technology. Dr. Hassanein identified a critical flaw in the traditional approach of cold organ storage, which keeps organs in a dormant state and significantly limits their viability, repair potential, and transplant suitability. In contrast, TransMedics' Organ Care System enables organs to remain alive and functioning outside the human body, supplied with oxygen and nutrients in a warm environment. This breakthrough allows for better organ assessment, extended preservation time, and even organ improvement prior to transplant. Competing firms like Sweden's XVIVO Perfusion and the UK's OrganOx are the only other significant players in the warm storage space, but the overall competitive landscape remains sparse due to the immense technological, logistical, and regulatory hurdles involved. These barriers have helped TransMedics build a robust competitive moat. The company's impact is especially vital considering the underwhelming organ utilization rates in the U.S.: kidneys are discarded 28% of the time, and over 70% of hearts and lungs go unused. Cold storage's inability to preserve donation after circulatory death and donation after brain death organs compounds this problem. TMDX's OCS technology directly addresses this issue, enhancing transplant viability for these previously challenging donor types. The company has further integrated this technology with its National OCS Program, an end-to-end service for organ transplant logistics and execution. In 2023, TMDX executed 3,715 OCS cases, with long-term goals of 10,000 annually and eventual targets of 20,000–30,000 as it expands into international markets and kidney transplants. Notably, OCS product sales now represent about 61% of company revenue, with the remainder coming from services tied to transplantation logistics. TMDX has experienced explosive growth, with revenues growing at 90–200% annually in recent years. Despite this, the stock has pulled back significantly from its all-time highs around $180, now trading near $95—a 47% decline. This reset in valuation has created a highly attractive entry point for investors, especially with the company already achieving profitability in Q4 2023 and gross margins around 60%. However, net margins have yet to scale materially due to early-stage investments, including the expansion of their aviation fleet, which plays a central role in logistics and introduces short-term variability in margins. TMDX's Q1 2025 earnings are highly anticipated (scheduled for May 8), and bullish indicators abound. Public flight data—correlated with organ transport cases—suggests the company conducted 2,115 flights in the quarter. Using a conservative $66,000 per-flight revenue estimate implies $139.6 million in revenue, which far exceeds the company's Q1 guidance of $123.4 million. Even accounting for unknowns like organ mix, internal versus external flight use, and differing revenue per case, estimates of $140–144 million seem plausible. Such results could lead management to raise full-year guidance beyond the already strong $530–552 million (20–25% YoY growth), a move that could trigger a sharp revaluation in the stock. If revenue comes in at the upper end or exceeds $142 million, a 10%+ move post-earnings is possible, further supported by the company's solid margin outlook and de-risked guidance. Beyond the near-term numbers, TMDX's long-term thesis remains intact. Its addressable market may be finite in terms of total organ transplants, but its role in expanding transplant viability increases the effective TAM. Moreover, TMDX's end-to-end solution, from organ perfusion to logistics, positions it as a critical partner in the healthcare system—not just a device manufacturer. While some investors have raised concerns about aviation fleet costs or were spooked by a short report earlier in 2025, these issues appear transient and are dwarfed by the company's execution strength and transformative potential. At current levels, the estimated fair value price by 2030 is $368.2, suggesting substantial upside potential as execution continues. With high barriers to entry, limited competition, regulatory know-how, and proven growth, TMDX represents a compelling long-term investment opportunity in one of the most mission-critical and underserved areas of modern medicine. TransMedics Group, Inc. (TMDX) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 29 hedge fund portfolios held TMDX at the end of the fourth quarter which was 32 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of TMDX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than TMDX but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
