The purpose of this program is to collect clinical information and biologic specimens to learn about problems that can occur after lung transplantation. By creating a biobank and clinical database that serves multiple investigators and studies, we aim to reduce the burden on our patients who generously partner with us to study fundamental questions such as why lung diseases occur, how to predict and detect rejection before it begins, and develop understandings to improve peoples' lives after lung transplantation. This program is self-funded by Drs. Singer and Greenland as well as by multiple extramural grants from the National Institutes of Health, Veterans Health Administration, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The UCSF is a part of the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group (LTOG). LTOG is the first and largest multicentered epidemiologic study in lung transplantation. LTOG began as an 11-center prospective cohort study formed in 2007, focused on the clinical risks and biomarkers of primary graft dysfunction (PGD), a serious form of acute lung injury occurring in the days after surgery that often leads to early graft failure and death. In 2017, LTOG evolved to also focus on defining the clinical and biological processes that occur after lung transplant that impact long-term patient and lung allograft outcomes. This study focuses on how chronic rejection develops and the role that frailty and functioning have on impacting health-related quality of life after transplant.

NIH U01HL145435Jun 15, 2019 - May 31, 2026

The NHLBI Lung Transplant Consortium Lung Transplant Body Composition 2 study. The purpose of this study is to understand how body composition (adiposity and sarcopenia) before transplant impacts early outcomes after lung transplantation. We are studying whether adiposity and sarcopenia are risk factors for complications soon after transplant surgery and how body composition and peri-operative complications differentially affect key patient-centered outcomes. These key patient-centered outcomes including functioning, disability, and HRQL.

The purpose of the multicenter consortium is to provide researchers the tools to learn more about lung transplantation, Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (chronic rejection) and other health problems. Much of this research is based on human samples and health information. Through such studies, researchers hope to find new ways to detect, treat, and even prevent or cure lung transplant complications.