The aim of the Education Committee (EC) is to coordinate ESOT’s efforts to advance multidisciplinary education for transplant professionals at all career levels and to contribute to their professional development.
The Basic Science Committee promotes scientific issues and transplantation research within ESOT. An active basic science community and an efficient translation of innovation into the clinic are crucial for the future of transplantation medicine.
The European Transplant Allied Healthcare Professionals (ETAHP) reaches out to allied healthcare professionals throughout Europe in order to ensure the best care possible for all transplant patients, with the aim to optimize patient outcomes.
The Young Professionals in Transplantation (YPT) is the Network for Junior Transplant professionals of ESOT, representing all young transplant clinicians and scientists who are beginning a career in transplantation and organ donation.
The mission of ECTORS is to provide a forum for discussing and stimulating novel developments in the fields of cellular therapies in organ transplantation, organ regeneration and generation of new organs from stem cells and biomaterials.
ECTTA is the forum for experience exchange on treatment of patients with end-stage heart and lung failure. Our aim is to improve outcomes for the patients.
EDTCO aims to support health care professionals to provide clinically effective programmes on organ and tissue donation, procurement and transplantation.
EKITA is the Organ Expert Section of ESOT on kidney transplantation in Europe, providing a forum for kidney transplantation professionals to exchange scientific information and views aimed at providing the best service to European patients .
The European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association (ELITA), previously known as the European Liver Transplant Association (ELTA), is a section of ESOT. Its membership represents the expertise on liver and intestinal transplantation in Europe.
ELPAT is a European platform that brings continuity and progress in European research and dialogue on "Ethical, Legal and Psychosocial Aspects of organ Transplantation". ELPAT currently consists of over 160 experts from more than 25 European countries.
EPITA is established to provide a forum for those working in the field of pancreas and islet of Langerhans transplantation or any other alternative form of beta cell replacement in Europe, to exchange scientific information and views related primarily to providing the best service for patients in Europe requiring pancreas or islet transplantation.
VCA has opened a new era in the field of transplantation, reconstructive and restorative surgery. This Section brings together 10 representatives of major European teams at the forefront in this field.
Kidney transplantation offers patients with kidney failure an opportunity for a longer life and a chance of freedom from renal dialysis. Increasingly, however, highly sensitised patients are remaining on the transplant waiting list for a suitable organ. The screening and practice of transplantation of highly sensitised patients has evolved in tandem with increases in sensitivity of HLA antigen testing, helping to improve the matching of patients with donor organs. A manuscript published in the journal Transplant International explores the current state of knowledge around this issue and how innovation, immune-system manipulation, patient prioritisation schemes and ‘thinking outside the box’ is increasing the likelihood that highly sensitised patients might safely obtain a transplant. The full manuscript is available here: European Guidelines for Managing Patients with HLA Antibodies.
The working group, authors of the manuscript, composed of leading transplant healthcare professionals from around Europe, patient group representatives, and transplant coordinators, has undertaken a review of the literature in each of six key areas:
An algorithm for patients who are highly sensitised was developed, together with a series of recommendations.
As part of the dissemination activities, ESOT has organised 5 country specific workshops gathering transplant professionals interested in the topic with the aim to allow discussion of local practices, review of the Guidelines and plans for future work at a national and international level. Between the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, five workshops have been organised in the following countries: United Kingdom, Italy, France, Denmark (targeted to Nordic Region countries), Austria (targeted to German speaking countries and Eastern European countries).
You can browse the final report of each Workshop here below.
| Country Workshop | Date and city | Scientific Lead | Final report |
| United Kingdom | 11 October 2022, Cardiff, United Kingdom | Sian Griffin |  |
| Italy | 19 October 2022, Padova, Italy | Lucrezia Furian | |
| France | 30 November 2022, Paris, France | Christophe Legendre | |
| Denmark (Nordic Region countries) | 22 March 2023, Copenhagen, Denmark | Søren Schwartz Sørensen | |
| Austria (German speaking countries and Eastern Europe countries) | 14 April 2023, Vienna, Austria | Rainer Oberbauer | |
The workshop activities are kindly supported by
More information and resources about HLA desensitisation and the management of Patients with HLA antibodies are available at this link.
Addressing the biggest challenges in transplantation takes teamwork. With an ESOT membership, you’ll continue to be a valued part of Europe’s largest network of dedicated transplant professionals, sharing ideas and collaborating to improve the science and practice of transplantation.
