Kidney transplant recipients are at least twice as likely to develop cancer compared with immunocompetent
people. Cancer is now the second leading cause of death in kidney transplant recipients.
Candidates and recipients are living longer with chronic conditions and immunosuppression, which
increases the risk of cancers, especially skin and kidney cancers, lymphoma, and plasma cell dyscrasias.
Transforming the lives of people with cancer and organ transplants through integrated healthcare and research.
Watch intro video (4 min)
The Center for Innovations in Cancer & Transplant was founded with the following goals:
- To provide outstanding multidisciplinary clinical care for pre- and post-transplant patients with cancer.
- To lead exceptional, multidimensional, patient-focused research of cancer before and after organ transplant through a robust bioregistry and collaborative research network.
We seek to do this through a first-of-its kind clinic, a new bioregistry, and our own original research.
Learn more about the Center
Clinic
The first-of-its-kind multidisciplinary consult clinic for organ transplant candidates and recipients with cancer.
Bioregistry
A registry to integrate patient data from cancer centers and transplant programs around the world.
Research
Investigating the immune mechanisms and epidemiology of cancer with solid organ transplantation.
Recent publications
Malignancy and Kidney Transplant: Core Curriculum 2026
Christopher D. Blosser, Elena-Bianca Barbir, Salma Shaikhouni, Naoka Murakami
American Journal of Kidney Disease
87(6): 852-866
Original Work
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2026.01.011
Given the complexities associated with the care of transplant patients with cancer, along with
the advent of novel cancer therapies that include targeted and immunotherapies (ie, immune
checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells), there is a growing need for nephrologists to understand and
manage the associated risks and optimize diagnosis and treatment. The screening and management
of cancer in the setting of kidney transplantation is best accomplished by a multidisciplinary team,
involving knowledgeable nephrologists, oncologists, and patients. In this Core Curriculum, we review
common pretransplant and posttransplant cancers and management strategies through a series of
clinical cases.
Practical Guide to Address Common Myths in the Pre– and Post–kidney Transplant Management of the Elderly Patient with Cancer: An Opinion Paper
Mary Ann Linda… Naoka Murakami…Christopher D. Blosser…Evan T. Hall… Arpita Basu
Transplantation Direct
12(6):p e1934
Original Work
DOI: 10.1097/TXD.0000000000001934
Two areas of overlap between kidney transplantation and oncology that remain fraught with uncertainty and bias are (1) transplant candidacy for elderly patients with historic or active cancers or premalignant conditions, and (2) managing cancer in elderly kidney transplant recipients. These have led to inadvertent inequities in the care of elderly kidney transplant candidates with historic or active malignancies. Incorporating a patient’s viewpoint and an oncologist’s perspective, we present a nuanced, multidisciplinary approach to management that goes beyond mere consideration of chronological age and focuses on the individual patient and his/her goals.
Clinical practice pattern of management of plasma cell dyscrasia for kidney transplant candidates and recipients in the United States
Samhita Boppana, Christopher D. Blosser…Naoka Murakami
Original Work
DOI: 10.1177/23993693251413641
Plasma cell dyscrasia (PCD) is a rare but important cause of end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Kidney transplant is the treatment of choice in patients with ESKD. However, the complexity of PCD care and risk of disease recurrence poses challenges to kidney transplant candidacy and outcomes. We examined the current clinical practice patterns of clinicians who care for patients with PCD and identified barriers to kidney transplantation for patients with PCD.
Methods: A web-based survey was developed and distributed from January to July 2024 to kidney transplant clinicians (American Society of Transplant (AST) members), hematologists (PCD experts), and onco-nephrologists.
Results: Seventy clinicians (50 transplant nephrologists, 18 hematologists, and two surgeons) from 42 transplant centers in the US participated in the survey. Clinical practice patterns pre and post kidney transplant for patients with PCD are highly variable among institutions, and only 36% reported having a protocol for pre- and post-transplant management for patients with PCD. Particularly, the requirement for pre-transplant hematologic remission criteria, induction and maintenance immunosuppression regimens and protocols for prophylaxis and screening for opportunistic infection are areas of future study. Clinicians listed lack of data and practice guidance as well as communication challenges among multiple specialties especially hematology and kidney transplant clinicians as notable barriers.
Conclusions: Our study identified the highly variable current practice patterns when evaluating and managing patients with PCD for kidney transplant. Our findings emphasize the need for collecting and sharing clinical data to support standardized practices and serve as a basis for the upcoming multi-societal management recommendation for kidney transplant for patients with PCD.