Lung transplantation is the only treatment for patients with severe lung disease, but the organs are not enough, resulting in patients dying while waiting for organs. Increasing the number of donations does not solve the problem - shortage of organs - because many donated lungs are damaged and therefore cannot be used.
The WCMM clinical researcher Sandra Lindstedt has currently received EU funding for the project "The bridge - lungs for life", which aims to address the critical shortage of viable lungs for transplantation. By establishing a centralized ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) facility the project intends to rehabilitate damaged lungs and significantly increase transplant efficiency. The center will be located at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, because there is infrastructure and expertise that Sweden currently lacks. Rigshospitalet, Skåne University Hospital (SUS) and medical technology company XVIVO will design an EVLP training program to train staff in Denmark and Sweden. The initiative plans to expand its operations to encompass all transplant clinics in Scandinavia after the initial centralization between Sweden and Denmark.
The project recognizes the limitations of EVLP in treating all damaged lungs and therefore aims to develop new therapies, particularly based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The collaboration with Skåne University Hospital involves creating a cross-border centralized development and testing process for these therapies, enhancing innovation and effectiveness in introducing them to clinical practice. Additionally, the project is committed to addressing issues of inequality and discrimination in the lung transplant process, focusing on improving access to transplantation for marginalized groups and simplifying the complex referral processes. Overall, "The bridge - lungs for life" seeks to revolutionize lung transplantation in Scandinavia by combining centralized EVLP facilities, innovative therapies, and efforts to promote equality in access to transplant services.
More information about the project and funding can found on their website: The Bridge - lungs for life
