Springer Xenotransplantation: The Transplantation of Organs and Tissues Between Species

This is a time ofexcitement and progress in the field ofxenotransplantation. The work described in this book traces the development of the science of cross-spe cies transplantation, summarizes the current state ofour knowledge, and focuses on approaches directed toward future clinical application. The important question is not whether xenotransplantation will succeed, but rather how and under what circumstances xenografts will provide predictable enough results to warrant clinical application. The fact that the best results to date in clinical xenografting were achieved over three decades ago should not be a matter of discouragement, but rather a stimulus to apply new approaches to this area of work. The shortage of human organs for transplantation is cited frequently as the driving force behind the increased interest in xenotransplantation. This shortage is an undeniable fact, but there are additional potential advantages of xenotrans plantation, such as the ability to schedule replacement surgery on an elective basis and the modification of animals, organs, and tissues to improve acceptabil ity in the human host. The advances in the basic science ofxenotransplantation outlined in this book give hope that the immunologic barriers to xenotransplantation will be overcome and that transplanted organs and tissues will succeed consistently in humans. However, if our experience with human allografts provides an analogy, we may anticipate that clinical progress in xenografts will be plagued by failures and rewarded by successes, often without a complete understanding of the mechan isms involved. Review "The new, revised and extended second edition provides a complete overview of this promising and exciting field. This work uniquely puts into perspective the essential features of xenotransplantation and its, as yet, unresolved problems." Transplant International From the Back Cover The success of transplantation in the treatment of human disease has increased the demand for organs and tissues far beyond the available supply. Xenotransplantation - the use of animals as donors - is viewed increasingly as the solution to this problem. Research into xenotransplantation has intensified greatly in the past five years since the first edition of this book was published. This second edition reflects this activity and provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge of the immunobiology of xenograft rejection and of the many therapeutic options being explored. Authored by the world's leading researchers, the volume is essential reading for anyone interested in the medical, scientific or ethical aspects of xenotransplantation. Many believe that we are on the threshold of clinical trials using genetically engineered animals as donors of organs. If successful, the rewards of clinical xenotransplantation will be immense and will represent one of the greatest medical advances of the modern era.