Genetic risk variants established for kidney transplant success

Researchers in the US have established how certain genetic risk variants may offer indications of the likelihood of kidney transplant procedures being successful.

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center scientists have conducted a study of medical records stretching back 12 years in order to investigate the higher rate of transplant failures among those receiving organs from black donors.

It was discovered that specific coding changes in a gene called apolipoprotein L1 – which are found in around ten to 12 percent of black people and are associated with a greater risk of kidney disease – were the strongest predictor of graft loss after transplant.

This shows that genetic rather than racial factors are responsible for the discrepancy, with the findings offering a potential means of greatly improving donor screening processes.

Senior investigator Dr Barry Freedman said: "We have shown for the first time that genetic risk variants in kidney donors are associated with markedly different outcomes after kidney transplantation. This finding could dramatically change the way we practice."

According to NHS data, around 80 percent of UK patients receiving a live kidney donation will live for at least five years after receiving the donation.