It Might Sound Like Science Fiction: Shaf Keshavjee and the Future of Organ Repair
“Receiving drone-delivered organs for a transplant might sound like science fiction but, we’re getting closer to that reality,” said thoracic surgeon Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, who joined Dean Trevor Young on November 19 at the annual Dean’s Lunch, which celebrates Faculty of Medicine donors and their impact.
As a trainee in U of T’s Surgeon Scientist Training Program, Keshavjee developed The Toronto Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) System, which enables lungs to be preserved outside the body and safely transplanted.
“Surgeons are limited when it comes to lung transplants,” Keshavjee explained. “Eighty per cent of the time a donated lung is not usable, leading to less than one per cent of patients receiving the critical care they need — so we asked, can we heal the organ and make improvements before transplantation?”
With the use of another new technology, Keshavjee’s team has answered this question with a yes. Expanding on the ability to preserve donated lungs outside the body, he is now able to essentially give the organ a tune-up. This decreases the potential of post-operative complications for patients.
“Think of it as a mini intensive-care unit for the lungs,” Keshavjee explains.
As the Director of the Toronto Lung Transplant Program, Keshavjee is now looking to use gene and stem cell therapy to develop super organs. “We are testing ways to enhance donor lungs so a recipient’s body is more receptive to them, reducing the drug therapy needed to prevent the risk of rejection.”
“It’s truly remarkable work that speaks to our Faculty’s Toronto Advantage,” said Faculty of Medicine’s Executive Director of Advancement, Darina Landa. “We are uniquely positioned for such impact, as Toronto’s biomedical research and educational hub. And with a history of innovation that includes the discovery of insulin, the discovery of stem cells, the first lung transplant — and now The Toronto Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion System.”
Dean Young echoed these sentiments, saying, “It’s this type of breakthrough that has made U of T one of the world’s top five universities for clinical medicine, as we were recently ranked by US News — and caught the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.”
With the University of Toronto’s unprecedented $2.4 billion Boundless Campaign coming to a close this year, the Faculty of Medicine celebrates another achievement — surpassing its $600 million fundraising goal
“It’s important to recognize this major milestone and enormous contribution you all have made,” said Landa. “But our work is far from over — there is still so much to learn, discover and so many more ways we can help impact the lives of individuals, families and communities.”
Newly installed Chancellor and Faculty of Medicine supporter, Dr. Rose Patten, closed the event by sharing her own story of surgery and recovery after a car accident had left her unable to walk. As she went on to run marathons, she committed to giving back and has established several named student awards.
“I saw it as a way to recognize the surgeons and physicians who not only cared for me but who are also teachers, preparing the next generation of exceptional clinicians — and expanding our understanding of human health.”
Photography by Horst Herget
