Hungarian Researchers Improve Survival Rates for Kidney Patients
A groundbreaking software developed in collaboration with researchers at the HUN-REN Center for Economic and Regional Studies (HUN-REN KRTK) is set to revolutionize the way kidney patients are matched with donors in Europe, with plans to expand to Hungary soon. The research article, co-authored with researchers from Barcelona and Portugal, recently received acclaim from the Spanish Society of Statistics and Operations Research (SEIO), as reported on the Hungarian research network’s website.
For individuals with serious kidney conditions, dialysis offers only temporary relief, making transplantation the preferred long-term treatment option. While deceased donors have traditionally been the primary source of organs for transplantation, the rising demand has emphasized the importance of living donor transplants, which are now considered the quickest option.
Péter Biró, co-author of the award-winning article, explained that despite the willingness of family members to donate organs, compatibility issues such as blood type and HLA incompatibility can pose challenges. Kidney exchange programs have emerged as a solution to address these challenges by allowing participants to swap donors, maximizing the chances of finding suitable matches.
Although the majority of kidney transplants still rely on cadaveric donors, the landscape varies across different countries. Hungary, like many European nations, currently facilitates only pairwise exchanges within the same transplant center. However, plans are underway to introduce more permissive legislation to enhance the number of transplants in Hungary.
The innovative software developed by researchers from HUN-REN KRTK, Óbuda University, Glasgow University, and INESC TEC Porto utilizes a constantly updated algorithm to identify optimal replacement solutions based on multiple criteria, providing predictions on the durability of transplanted kidneys. This software, known as KEPsoft, will be integrated into Hungary’s national kidney replacement program, enabling local matches initially before joining an international database.
To ensure the continuous enhancement of the software, a non-profit company called KEPsoft Collaborative will be established by the University of Glasgow in partnership with HUN-REN KRTK, Óbuda University, and INESC TEC Porto. Transplantation organizations will contribute annual membership fees to sustain the system, fostering a collaborative community-driven approach with tangible societal benefits.
The introduction of this cutting-edge software marks a significant milestone in advancing kidney transplantation practices in Hungary and beyond, highlighting the potential to optimize donor matching processes and improve patient outcomes.
