What Did the Workshop Achieve

The Department of Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has attracted several leaders in the field of xenotransplantation research to its faculty. Laboratory studies have progressed rapidly to the point where serious consideration is being given to initial clinical trials, particularly of genetically engineered pig kidney transplantation in patients with end-stage renal disease. Members of the Xenotransplantation Program at UAB thought that progress had advanced to the point where bringing together scientists and researchers in the field was required to (i) determine the next steps necessary to initiate a clinical trial, (ii) determine how patients would be selected, and (iii) suggest what appropriate monitoring for rejection and infection would be necessary. Thus, the Pathway to Clinical Xenotransplantation Workshop was held at UAB on March 21 and 22, 2019.