Improving fairness in kidney and liver organ allocation
Official title: Continuous allocation score design for guaranteeing equity and reducing discards in kidney and liver transplantation
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10991815 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to fairly distribute kidney and liver transplants so that everyone, no matter where they live or their background, has an equal chance of receiving a life-saving organ.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 17, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $623,463 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132395-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991815 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals in need of kidney or liver transplants, particularly those from diverse racial, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in need of a kidney or liver transplant will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the fairness of kidney and liver transplantation by developing a new scoring system that addresses disparities in organ allocation based on geographic, racial, and social factors. The approach involves using simulation optimization methods to explore various designs for a composite allocation score (CAS) that maintains the priorities of the current system while eliminating geographic boundaries. By ensuring that transplant rates are equitable across different populations, the research seeks to maximize the survival benefits of transplantation for all patients. This work is crucial in addressing the complex challenges of organ allocation and ensuring that all individuals have equal access to life-saving transplants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more equitable organ allocation system, improving access to kidney and liver transplants for underrepresented populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing disparities in healthcare access can lead to improved outcomes, suggesting that this approach has the potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Massie, Allan B — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Massie, Allan B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting a specific CD38 form to protect livers from injury after transplant
A new approach tests a selective drug to protect donor livers from injury during transplant, potentially increasing usable organs and improving transplant outcomes.
-
Regulatory dendritic cell therapy to reduce immunosuppressive drugs after liver transplant
A new approach using donor-derived regulatory dendritic cells is being tested to help adults who receive a liver transplant live without relying on traditional immunosuppressive drugs.
-
HOPE liver transplant: reducing infections and cancer risk for HIV-positive recipients
This grant aims to better understand why HIV-positive liver transplant recipients face higher infection and cancer risks and to improve safety and outcomes for these patients.
-
Early liver transplant decisions for severe alcohol-related liver disease
A large study follows adults with severe alcohol-related liver disease to understand how to best select and manage patients for early liver transplantation.
-
Early Liver Transplant for Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis
A hospital-based program is studying whether offering an early liver transplant to patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis can save lives when standard medical treatment fails.
-
Early liver transplant for severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) to save lives
A Johns Hopkins program is testing whether giving an early liver transplant to patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis who can’t be helped by standard treatments can save lives and reduce relapse risk.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.