Lung transplantation

In Norway, the number of lung transplantations has increased steadily the last few years, currently approaching 30 individuals per year. Our department is the national referral centre for organ transplantation in Norway and is a medium-sized centre for lung transplantation by international standards.

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation: Inflammatory and Innate Immune Responses

Name of principal investigators: PhD Liv Ingunn Bjoner Sikkeland and Dr.med Are M. Holm
Name of co-investigators: MSc Tonje Bøyum Riste, Dr.med Øystein Bjørtuft, Prof PhD Neil Alexis, Prof. Dr.med Johny Kongerud, Dr.med May Britt Lund, Prof Dr.med Tom Eirik Mollnes and Dr.med Arnt Fiane

A significant proportion of the lung transplant (TX) patients develop Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS) (~50%), a disease marked by loss of lung function and excessive and destructive airways inflammation, frequently involving airways neutrophilia. BOS represents the single most important obstacle to successful long term outcome in lung transplantation.The cause of BOS is unknown, but evidence indicates that the innate host defense function may be impaired.

By using advanced immunological and molecular methods we aim to improve the understanding of BOS and chronic allograft rejection, thus specifically developing improved diagnostic tools and possibly identifying new therapeutic targets for this common disorder within transplantational medicine. We also want to compare the utility of induced sputum with the more invasive BAL in monitoring of inflammatory conditions (BOS and other) in the lungs, and hence whether BAL can be justified as a surveillance tool compared to sputum.

Clinical study of predictive factors in lung transplantation
Name of principal investigator:  Dr.med Are M. Holm
Name of co-investigators: Henrik Auråen MD, Prof. Dr.med Arnt Fiane
Utilizing data from the registry of lung transplantated patients and including data from the other Nordic centres in the Scandiatransplant collaboration, predictive factors for the development of allograft dysfunction and for survival are studied.

ScanCLAD study

EPOS study

High Intensity Training after Lung Transplantation
Name of principal investigators: Michael Durheim MD, Elisabeth Edvardsen. PhD
Name of co-investigators: Marianne Ulvestad MD, Dr.med May Brit Lund, Prof Dr.med Johny Kongerud

Despite the survival benefit and significant improvement in pulmonary function associated with lung transplantation, physical fitness often remains poor among recipients. High intensity exercise training has been shown to be effective among other patient groups, including heart transplant recipients in Norway. The High Intensity Training after Lung Transplantation (HILT) study is a randomized controlled trial of a high intensity training intervention among lung transplant recipients at our centre. Patients undergo detailed assessment of cardiopulmonary physiology and, if randomized to the intervention group, undergo personalized interval and strength training at locations throughout Norway. The objectives are to better understand the relationships between pulmonary function, cardiovascular fitness and physical activity among lung transplant recipients, and to determine the effects of high intensity training in this patient group.