Reshaping Transplantation With AI, Emerging Technologies and Xenotransplantation

This article explores emerging innovations aimed at addressing the critical challenges of organ transplantation, particularly organ scarcity, rejection, and the burden of lifelong immunosuppression. Key advances include artificial intelligence (AI) for optimizing organ allocation, refining rejection monitoring, and personalizing immunosuppressive therapy; xenotransplantation using multigene–edited donor pigs with improved immunosuppression to overcome hyperacute rejection; and regenerative medicine approaches such as stem cell therapies, three-dimensional organoids, and bioprinting to create patient-specific tissues that reduce the risk of rejection. Additionally, biomaterials and cell encapsulation offer targeted immunosuppression, potentially reducing systemic therapy needs. The authors emphasize that while these strategies hold transformative potential, successful translation requires rigorous clinical validation, ethical oversight, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 
 
This is highly relevant to CTSNet’s global cardiothoracic surgery audience because it highlights technologies that could redefine heart and lung transplantation, potentially mitigating donor shortages, improving graft longevity, and expanding access to life-saving therapies for patients with end-stage cardiothoracic disease.