ESOT Podcast

In this episode of the Transplant International podcast, Nina Pilat and Andrea Zajacova discuss three papers spanning lung, kidney and liver transplantation: the new ESOT guideline on chronic lung allograft dysfunction, CAR-T cell and T-cell engager strategies that target the immune memory behind HLA sensitization, and the PLUS study on liver machine perfusion. Together they build up a common question: how do we move from promising evidence to better care for transplant patients?

In this August episode of the Transplant International Podcast, deputy Editor-in-chief Nina Pilat is joined by editorial fellow Delphine Kervella to discuss three new Transplant International articles. First, a Eurotransplant-wide analysis by Kofler and colleagues showing that around 16% of recovered donor organs are never transplanted, and arguing for clearer legal and ethical pathways to use these organs for research – work that has already contributed to a change in Austrian transplantation legislation. Second, a 33-year US OPTN registry study by Paessler and colleagues showing that ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation in children achieves outcomes comparable to ABO-compatible transplantation, and can outperform waiting for an ABO-compatible deceased donor. Third, a review by Campo and colleagues on hypoimmune platforms, covering the first clinical experience with gene-edited islet cells and xenotransplantation, and the scientific, safety and regulatory challenges of engineering grafts to evade immune rejection.
 
 

In this July episode of the Transplant International Podcast Antonio Citro is joined by Emilien Seizilles de Mazancourt to discuss three new Transplant International articles. First, a large Finnish cohort study showing that long-term graft survival after HLA-incompatible kidney transplantation remains acceptable despite higher rejection risk. Second, a systematic review challenging the classic “sponge effect” theory of allosensitization after allograft nephrectomy, pointing instead to immunosuppression withdrawal as the main driver. Third, a nationwide German survey of surgical residents revealing strong latent interest in transplant surgery held back by a lack of structured training pathways and operative autonomy – with a proposed two-year fellowship framework as a way forward.

In this special episode of the Transplant International podcast, we take listeners behind the scenes of the ESOT Transplant science Summer School – a new flagship educational event bringing together the next generation scientists of the transplant community. Join Nina Pilat, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Transplant International, as she sits down with Liset Pengel and Bill Scott, Chairs of the ESOT Education and Basic Science Committees, to look back at this year’s Transplant Science Summer School. Together they discuss how the programme came together through close collaboration across committees, the highlights in content and teaching style, and who the school is really designed for. A recurring theme throughout the conversation is just how much participants valued the networking opportunities – described as one of the true highlights of the week alongside the multidisciplinary learning experience. They also look ahead to how the Summer School might evolve and how it complements other ESOT educational offerings such as the Hesperis course.

In this June episode of the Transplant International Podcast, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nina Pilat is joined by Editorial Fellow Antonio Citro to break down three papers from the latest issue, all pushing transplantation toward greater precision. First, they discuss a Norwegian study — also featured on the June cover — examining sex-related differences in the predictive value of PET-based metabolic tumour volume before liver transplantation for colorectal liver metastases. Next, they analyze a study showing that total IgG glycosylation, a marker of antibody “quality” rather than mere presence, tracks with the severity of antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplant recipients, independent of donor-specific antibody status. Finally, they discuss a commentary on the first-in-human trial of CD8 regulatory T cell therapy in kidney transplant recipients, a novel, complementary approach to CD4 Treg-based strategies for immune tolerance. 

In this special episode of the Transplant International podcast, we explore the extraordinary intersection of transplantation medicine and high-altitude mountaineering. Join Nina Pilat, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Transplant International, and Editorial Fellow Antonio Citro for an inspiring conversation with Jakob Muehlbacher, a general surgeon and avid mountaineer. Jakob shares firsthand insights from pioneering research conducted in the extreme conditions of America's highest peak. This episode delves into the extensive safety protocols required for vulnerable patient populations, explores the emotional power of shared clinical adventures, and highlights how pushing boundaries can lead to improved outcomes in standard patient care.

In this May episode of the Transplant International Podcast, Deputy Editor-in-Chief  Nina Pilat is joined by Editorial Fellow Delphine Kervella to break down four highly impactful papers from the latest issue. First, they dive into a basic science study challenging lung transplant dogma by looking at blood vessels as the primary orchestration site of graft rejection. Next, they analyse a multicenter French study evaluating whether apheresis can be safely omitted in ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients with low baseline titers. They then discuss a valuable proof-of-concept letter from Mexico regarding individualised desensitisation for HLA-incompatible living donor kidney transplants. 

In this April episode of the Transplant International Podcast, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nina Pilat, Co-host Antonio Citro, and Editorial Fellow Andrea Zajacova explore three major highlights from the current issue. First, they discuss the new ESOT position paper providing a comprehensive strategic framework for responsible and high-quality AI adoption in transplantation. Next, they delve into a review detailing the logistical and therapeutic paradigm shift towards multi-day solid organ and tissue perfusion. Finally, they review original research uncovering the active proinflammatory role of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a damage-associated molecular pattern in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury.

In this March episode of the Transplant International Podcast, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nina Pilat and Editorial Fellow Emilien Seizilles de Mazancourt explore three major highlights from the current issue. First, they discuss a systematic review demonstrating that a shorter vascular anastomosis time is consistently associated with improved early graft function and long-term graft survival across all donor types. Next, they delve into original research showing how longitudinal monitoring of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) provides crucial risk stratification for allograft dysfunction, re-biopsy, and graft failure. Finally, they review a regional blueprint outlining the systemic barriers—such as legislation, training, and infrastructure—and the strategic framework needed to expand kidney transplantation capacity and equity in the Western Balkans.

In this February episode of the Transplant International Podcast, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nina Pilat and Editorial Fellow Antonio Citro explore two major highlights from the current issue. First, they discuss the Editors’ Choice selection of the Top 12 Most Impactful Papers in Clinical Transplantation in 2025, covering breakthroughs from xenotransplantation and immune engineering to organ preservation and oncology. They then turn to a comprehensive narrative review on machine learning in lung transplantation, unpacking how AI-driven approaches are influencing outcome prediction, organ allocation, imaging, and precision medicine. Together, these topics provide a forward-looking perspective on how biological innovation and computational methods are converging to transform the field.