Transplantation has been improving steadily over the years because of better surgical techniques and better use of immunosuppressive drug therapy.
In most transplant centres clinical trials are carried out with the aim of finding the best regime of immunosuppression to improve organ survival rates, decrease the number of rejection episodes and to reduce side effects.
The usual means of carrying out these trials is by comparing the “new” treatment with the best available standard treatment. This is called a controlled clinical trial.
Where does this fit in for me as a patient on the transplant list? The transplant team will discuss any clinical trials that the Liver Transplant Unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is currently involved in. All trials are approved by the Ethics Review Committee at the hospital. Your may be invited to participate in such a clinical trial, and if so, you will be provided with a written Information Sheet. By taking part in a trial you may have access to treatments that are not currently approved in Australia and will also be helping to advance medical science and thus improve prospects for patients in the future. Remember if you choose to participate in a trial it should be your choice. If you choose not to participate you will receive the standard treatment in use at the time.