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WTC Keynote #4 Speaker Revealed!

 
Join Stem Cell Pioneer Dr. Hongkui Deng at the World Transplant Congress

Keynote Speaker at WTC 2025

 

We are proud to welcome Dr. Hongkui Deng, a world-renowned stem cell researcher and pioneer in chemical cell reprogramming, as a keynote speaker, at the World Transplant Congress WTC 2025, taking place August 2-6, 2025, in San Francisco.

His keynote session, “Stem Cell-Derived Beta Cell Clusters and Successful Allotransplantation”, will spotlight his lab’s breakthroughs in stem cell-derived therapies - a game changer in transplantation and regenerative medicine.

He is internationally recognized for being the first to achieve purely chemical induction of pluripotent stem cells — a milestone in the transplantation field.

His lab also develops innovative chemical biology strategies to direct cell fate and function, laying the groundwork for next-generation cell therapies.

His work on gene-edited cells for HIV resistance earned him a $1.9 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and his research continues to influence the global landscape of stem cell applications in infectious disease.

Join us at 10:45 on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 for a unique session!
Check out the full program:
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Hongkui Deng
Professor of Cell Biology at Peking University and Director of the Peking University Stem Cell Research Center, leads cutting-edge research in stem cell biology, somatic cell reprogramming, and lineage-specific differentiation of human pluripotent stem cell.
 
More WTC 2025 Information

Early Registration

Take advantage of early registration discounts by signing up before May 23, 2025 at 23:59 (PDT). Secure your spot at this world-class event and enjoy reduced fees!
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Late-Breaking Abstracts

The Late-Breaking Abstract Submission Portal is open until May 21, 2025 at 23:59 (PDT).
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Scientific Program

Full session information is now available. Start planning your WTC 2025 experience now
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JUST RELEASED - Transplantation Direct - May 2025 Issue

The May issue of Transplantation Direct is loaded with a wide spectrum research in the transplantation field.

Starting with composite tissue transplantation (our ISVCA Section partner), a new radial forearm free flap technique is described for sentinel skin flaps. In liver transplantation, there are articles on a surgical technique to maximize venous outflow in living-donor transplantation, key parameters determining risks for older donor organs, clinical-psychosocial factors related to MASH-related waitlisting, and application of MELD 3.0 / sex to simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation. In lung transplantation, cold agglutinins are investigated as to their impact on short/long term outcomes. Kidney transplantation related, we have reports on preventing PTLD in high-risk patients, dd-cfDNA correlations with Banff scoring, urinary extracellular vesicles in acute rejection, and on cystathionine gamma-lyase and hydrogen sulfide levels associations with long-term outcomes. On the topic of pancreas transplantation, gastroparesis impact post-transplantation is investigated and delayed kidney function impact is assessed in simultaneous pancreas-kidney recipients. On organ donation, there are reports on new selection criteria for improving outcomes after uncontrolled kidney DCD, and on psychosocial aspects of living kidney donation in Qatar. Related to the topic of infectious disease, pediatric versus adult responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is investigated. Finally, on the world stage, we have a meeting report out of India (ISOT) explaining the challenges and solutions to transplantation in Northeast regions of India. Please visit our Transplantation Direct website for full details on all these open-access articles - we look forward your contribution soon.

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Transplantation Journal Highlights

Transplantation Journal - Social Media Content

This is an important paper and reports about the consensus guidelines of the management of CMV.

Stefan Tullius (Editor-in-Chief) discusses the recent publication of the Fourth International Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Cytomegalovirus in Solid Organ Transplantation with Camille Kotton and Atul Humar. This updated international consensus—developed by leading CMV experts with support from The Transplantation Society—reflects major advances in CMV diagnostics, prevention, treatment, and surveillance.
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Highlighted Special Article Collections
The editors of this journal are pleased to offer electronic publication of accepted papers prior to issue publication. These papers can be cited using the date of access and the unique DOI number. Any final changes in manuscripts will be made at the time of issue publication and will be reflected in the final electronic version of the issue.
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Circulating Tissue Specific Extracellular Vesicles for Noninvasive Monitoring of Acute Cellular Rejection in Clinical Heart Transplantation
There remains a critical need for biomarkers of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in heart transplantation. We hypothesized that immunopathophysiology of ACR is reflected via dynamic changes in the protein and RNA cargoes of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) released by cardiac allograft and T cells into circulation, thus enabling noninvasive window into ACR.
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Transplantation Direct - Social Media Content

Association of Blood Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Levels With Banff Scores and Histopathological Lesions in Kidney Allograft Biopsies: Results From an Observational Study
Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is an emerging biomarker of kidney allograft injury, mainly investigated in the context of rejection. However, the dd-cfDNA dynamics in other graft pathologies merit further investigation.
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New Donor Selection Criteria Result in Optimal Outcomes of Kidneys from Uncontrolled Donation After the Circulatory Determination of Death
The aim of our study is to share our experience with uncontrolled donation after the circulatory determination of death (uDCDD) kidney transplantation and to propose updated donor selection criteria for uDCDD programs.
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Special IIRTA Feature

As part of the on-going collaboration between TTS and our official Sections, and in order to provide TTS members with an update on areas of the field represented by TTS Sections, content for this issue of the Pulse has been submitted by the International Intestinal Rehabilitation & Transplant Association.

The Intestinal Transplant Association (ITA) was born in 2003 reflecting the joint vision of the late Richard Wood and Kareem Abu-Elmagd at the VIth International Small Bowel Transplant Symposium in 1999. The participants in the VIIIth International Small Bowel Transplantation Symposium held in Miami in 2003, unanimously voted to establish the Intestinal Transplant Association (ITA) as a formalized and unified group of professionals with a common interest in intestinal failure, intestinal rehabilitation, and intestinal transplantation.

This proposal was later put forth before the Council of The Transplantation Society (TTS) who accepted the ITA as a Section within The Transplantation Society. The formal name of the society has changed over the years as the fields of intestinal failure and transplant have evolved and the international nature of the society has been recognized.

Through the leadership of the multidisciplinary elected council, the IIRTA seeks to promote medical and surgical advances and research to optimize the lives of all patients with intestinal failure. Dedicated committees oversee membership, scientific activities, educational events and communications.

Our Vision

  • To ensure excellent physical and emotional health for all people with intestinal failure through rehabilitation and transplantation.

Our Missions

  • To optimize the lives of intestinal failure patients worldwide through innovative nutritional, medical, psychosocial, surgical and transplant research and therapies.
  • To maintain global leadership through a multidisciplinary approach to intestinal failure, rehabilitation and transplantation.
  • And to advance the support for all professionals working in the field of intestinal transplantation and rehabilitation with regard to education, policy, research and advocacy.

Our Values

  • Excellence: Promoting innovative clinical, basic and translational science through multidisciplinary teamwork.
  • Collaboration: Working closely with patients, IIRTA members, scientific societies, health organizations, and governments.
  • Advocacy: supporting the patient’s voice in speaking as a unified influence in issues of concern to the IF and Intestinal transplant community.
  • Integrity: Acting on the highest standards of ethical practice.

Our Goals

  • Enhance communication and organizational effectiveness by using the TTS administrative support to hold quarterly Council meetings and organize biennial symposiums, periodic newsletters, and other scientific activities.
  • Create a community of practice through the development of clinical practical guidelines and educational materials.
  • Facilitate research by creating a repository of information and fostering proposals to enhance the scientific and academic mission of the Intestinal Transplant Registry (ITR).
  • Increase membership by outreach to other relevant scientific communities including gastrointestinal associations, transplant societies, and other allied health and patient advocacy organizations.

Chapters

The establishment of national or regional Chapters has fostered reciprocal relationships, where Chapter members would engage in IIRTA activities, and in return, the association would provide support for local clinical, educational, or research meetings and initiatives

VISIT THE IIRTA CHAPTERS PAGE

Developments

The introduction of comprehensive Intestinal Rehabilitation Programmes in specialist centres has undoubtedly improved outcomes for patients and likely explains some of the recent drops in ITx activity, at least in children. Glucagon-like Peptide-2 analogues have provided the first pharmacological advancement to improve the quality of life and reduce morbidity for patients living with Intestinal Failure. Insights into the immunological mechanisms for host and graft responses and genetic risk factors for graft rejection (eg NOD2), coupled with proactive monitoring for medical complications and surgical advances, have contributed to ever-improving outcomes after transplantation.

International Registries

The International Intestinal Failure and Intestinal Transplant Registries directed by Yaron Avitzur and Rob Venick respectively continue to grow and provide much-needed collaborative epidemiological and outcome data for these rare conditions.

Visit the Intestinal Failure Registry Page

Visit the Intestinal Transplant Registry Page

Webinars

Our Allied Health Committee organized several successful webinars over the past year, including a ‘Research 101’ session which discussed the principles of research methodology and provided practical tips for abstract submission, just in time for the CIIRTA 2025 Congress!

Visit the IIRTA Webinar Page

Recent Webinar Presentations

Intestinal Failure - The Official Journal IIRTA

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Intestinal Failure, the official journal of the IIRTA, launched in early 2024 under the leadership of Doug Farmer, from UCLA, as Editor-In-Chief; and Helen Evans, from Starship Children’s Health NZ, as Deputy Editor. This open-access journal aims to be the leading publication in the fields of intestinal failure, intestinal rehabilitation and intestinal/multivisceral transplantation. It is truly multidisciplinary and bridges basic science and clinical research. A special issue from the PIFRS meeting in Pittsburgh will be followed by a second special issue from CIIRTA 2025. So far articles published originate from 8 different countries across adults and paediatrics and encompassing all aspects of intestinal rehabilitation.

Most Downloaded Article

Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in short bowel syndrome: A systematic review
Carolyn Mercer, Anna Crawford, Susan Shapiro, Philip J Allan, Tim Ambrose.
Intestinal Failure, Volume 1, 100007

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Editor's Highlighted Article

Outcomes after intestinal re-transplant: A detailed, single-center analysis of clinical and technical factors
Carolyn P. Smullin, Robert S. Venick, Suzanne V. McDiarmid, Ronald W. Busuttil, Douglas G. Farmer.
Intestinal Failure, Volume 1, 100003

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CIIRTA 2025

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Our biennial congress CIIRTA2025 is being held on 10-13th September in the beautiful Swedish city of Gothenburg, jointly hosted by Sahlgrenska University Hospital Gothenburg and Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm. The theme of Searching for The ‘True North’ reflects the geographical location of Gothenburg at 57.7degrees North and the continued work of the Intestinal Rehabilitation community to optimize care and outcomes for patients suffering with Intestinal Failure.

Keynote lecturers

George Mazariegos
USA
Loris Pironi
Italy
Girish Gupte
USA

Follow the IIRTA and CIIRTA2025 on Social Media!

Recent Intestinal Transplant Publications in the Transplantation Journal

Endoscopic Surveillance of the Intestinal Allograft: Recommendations From the Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplant Association

Garcia, Jennifer et al.
Transplantation 108(4):p 827-835, April 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000004785
Endoscopic monitoring of the intestinal graft is a key part of patient follow up, as the rates of acute cellular rejection remain high (30-50% in the first year in various series) and there is no reliable biomarker of intestinal graft rejection. Due to a lack of previous consensus or guidance, wide variations in practice have been seen. A working group was convened in 2019 of 17 experts in the field resulting in various recommendations regarding endoscopic surveillance which are contained in this report.
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Precision Delivery of Therapeutics to the Intestine: A Case Series of Superselective Steroid Administration in Pediatric Intestinal Transplant Recipients

Levitte, Steven et al.
Transplantation108(8):p e202-e203, August 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000005053
Here the team from Stanford discuss their use of targeted intra-arterial steroid treatment for focal graft inflammation in two pediatric intestinal transplant recipients, with full recovery documented. This technique may have wider implications beyond the transplant community, for example in inflammatory bowel disease, ischaemic drug-induced intestinal lesions and may avoid systemic toxicity from corticosteroids or biologics for some patients.
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Current Advances in Graft-versus-host Disease After Intestinal Transplantation

Oza K, et al.
Transplantation 2024 Feb 1;108(2):399-408. doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000004703
Graft versus host disease is one of the most feared complications after Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplantation, occurring in 5-10% of patients with published mortality rates of 77% The balance of host and graft responses and the clinical importance of micro- and macro-chimerism are becoming increasingly understood in this patient population. Recent small studies have demonstrated macrochimerism in patients without the development of clinical GVHD, perhaps approaching the desired state of operational tolerance which would allow withdrawal or at least a significant reduction of immunosuppression. Current treatment of GVHD however, still extrapolates significantly from GVH after other solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation due to the paucity of data and lack of controlled trials in ITX recipients. Oza et al nicely summarise the existing literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of GVHD after ITx in this report.
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Upcoming Webinar Presentations

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IXA Abstract Deadline Extended

The abstract submission deadline has been extended to May 15, 2025.
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ITS 2025 Registration and Abstracts

Join us for the 2025 International Transplantation Science meeting (ITS 2025) and connect with the leading global transplantation community!
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On behalf of AST, ESOT and TTS, we wish to extend to you a warm welcome to the 2025 International Transplant Science meeting in San Diego, California USA.

This is the fourth of the ITS tri-society meeting series in collaboration with ESOT and TTS. This meeting will provide a wonderful opportunity for transplant researchers to learn from outstanding international speakers while visiting this stunningly beautiful region of the world.

The ITS 2025 will provide a forum for presentations and discussions of cutting-edge basic and translational science in and beyond transplantation. This meeting will not only serve as an international platform for scientific discussions on the latest ground-breaking discoveries in the field but will also provide an excellent opportunity to present your own work to the scientific community. We hope this will allow for the exchange of new ideas and establishment of collaborative work between senior scientists, young professionals and early-stage researchers.

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