SUMMARY
The overall research goal of Patrick G. Dean, M.D., is to provide increased access to the best medical therapy for end-stage organ failure: transplantation. In addition, Dr. Dean and colleagues want to improve the long-term survival of kidney and pancreas transplants.
Focus areas
- Pre-emptive kidney transplantation
- Pancreas transplantation
- Kidney transplantation for polycystic kidney disease
- Transplant immunology
Significance to patient care
In order for more patients to benefit from transplantation, it is necessary to expand access to timely transplantation. For example, kidney transplantation prior to the initiation of dialysis (pre-emptive kidney transplantation) is the best treatment for patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, a minority of patients with renal failure receive this treatment. Dr. Dean's clinical research efforts are directed at increasing the rates of pre-emptive transplantation at Mayo Clinic and across the U.S.
In addition, if researchers can determine why kidney and pancreas transplants fail, it will be possible to develop therapies aimed at improving the long-term survival of these transplants. Dr. Dean's research efforts focus on the effects of immune cells (macrophages) and antibodies directed against the donor on the transplanted organs.