The Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal and Pancreas Transplant Centers play a prominent role in bringing cutting edge transplant medicine to New Jersey. “Whether it is a new surgical procedure, improved medications or a fresh treatment alternative, our transplant team is proactive in bringing new options to transplant candidates,” says Shamkant Mulgaonkar, M.D., Chief of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal and Pancreas Transplant Centers.
The Centers are the only kidney transplant program in the state participating in clinical drug trials that offer patients the benefits of tomorrow’s medications today. “Many of the new drugs being formulated today have the potential to improve the quality of life by reducing the short- and long-term side effects and complications of immunosuppressive medications. While they are not on the market yet, these new medications are available to patients who voluntarily participate in clinical trials being conducted at the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Transplant Centers,” explains Dr. Mulgaonkar.
Most of the drugs are in the final phases of approval by the Food and Drug Administration and all have undergone tremendous scrutiny, reassures Dr. Mulgaonkar. In addition, each participant’s health is under the watchful eyes of both the clinical and research teams at the Transplant Centers.
“Results of these drug studies have far-reaching effects on future patients,” notes Dr. Mulgaonkar. Because of its significantly large and diverse population of transplant recipients, the transplant team has noted trends in the effectiveness of some new medications. Further research into these drugs is expected to improve the outcome for certain groups, such as African-American and elderly patients.
Teamwork – The Research Team of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal and Pancreas Transplant Centers studies the latest immunosuppressive therapies to reduce side effects for patients and prevent rejection.
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