Understanding lung rejection in transplant patients
Lung Disease

Understanding lung rejection in transplant patients

Every year up to 100 Australians need a lung transplant to keep them alive. Currently lung rejection is experienced by 50% of these patients within five years of their life-saving transplant. The Lung Transplant Research team want to improve the odds for these recipients. If they could determine why this rejection is happening and how to treat it, they could give these patients a better, longer life and have more suitable organs for those that need them.

With the team setting out to better understand what is causing this rejection, they have honed in on a particular condition: the lungs develop scar tissue caused by a specific cell (fibroblasts) along the small airways, obstructing airflow and causing rejection. Early findings indicate that normal healthy stem cells from the transplanted lungs are mobile (floating) and will begin to become fibroblasts soon-after. These findings are important because they begin to explain why fibrosis (or scarring) occurs within transplanted lungs.

After learning more about this condition, they’ve also discovered that stem cells could potentially be used to help ‘recondition’ lungs.

This study means patients who have had a lung transplant may have a potential treatment for rejection just around the corner. This will not only give back hundreds of people in Queensland their quality of life, but is a treatment that can be applied to patients across the world. It will also open up the opportunity for more patients to receive life-saving treatments.

Support The Common Good here.

Published: June 11, 2019

Related news & events

Dementia Action Week 2025: ‘Nobody can do it alone’

Ageing

Dementia Action Week 2025: ‘Nobody can do it alone’

This Dementia Action Week 2025, Dementia Australia wants to encourage people in the community to reach out to people impacted by dementia.

Find out more

Child Life Therapy program expands thanks to Foundation supporters

The Common Good

Child Life Therapy program expands thanks to Foundation supporters

We have been able to fund the expansion of the Child Life Therapy program at The Prince Charles Hospital and into Caboolture Hospital thanks to our remarkable supporters.

Find out more

Dozens cycle for transplant research at 2025 Cycle of Giving

The Common Good

Dozens cycle for transplant research at 2025 Cycle of Giving

The Cycle of Giving has returned to the Sunshine Coast in 2025, with dozens of riders pedalling for vital transplant research.

Find out more

Collaborative Seed Grants at The Prince Charles Hospital

Research Grants

Collaborative Seed Grants at The Prince Charles Hospital

If you’re waiting for the Strawberry Sundae Kisses beer to hit your lips, we’ve got good news! The creation for a good cause is back in 2023, and brewing is…

Find out more

Stone & Wood’s Strawberry Sundae Kisses beer is back in 2025

Uncategorised

Stone & Wood’s Strawberry Sundae Kisses beer is back in 2025

If you’re waiting for the Strawberry Sundae Kisses beer to hit your lips, we’ve got good news! The creation for a good cause is back in 2023, and brewing is…

Find out more

Acknowledging our Corporate Volunteers this National Volunteer Week

Volunteering

Acknowledging our Corporate Volunteers this National Volunteer Week

This National Volunteer Week, we want to say a big thank you to our corporate volunteers who answer our call for help.

Find out more

National Volunteer Week Australia 2025: 'Connecting Communities'

Volunteering

National Volunteer Week Australia 2025: 'Connecting Communities'

National Volunteer Week 2025: Meet the incredible people who give their time and skills through The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.

Find out more

It's Heart Week: Let’s Talk About the Health of Your Heart

Heart Disease

It's Heart Week: Let’s Talk About the Health of Your Heart

Discover how The Common Good is supporting world-leading heart health research at The Prince Charles Hospital this Heart Week.

Find out more

Chain Reaction Challenge 2025: Helping sick kids in Queensland

The Common Good

Chain Reaction Challenge 2025: Helping sick kids in Queensland

Cyclists ride 1000km in the Chain Reaction Challenge 2025 to fund Child Life Therapy program for sick kids at The Prince Charles Hospital.

Find out more