Grant: Operating Grant: Secondary Data Analysis for Cancer Prevention and Control

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment in end-stage renal disease as it improves survival, quality of life, and decreases health care costs in comparison to dialysis. The success of kidney transplantation is largely attributable to advances in immune suppression drugs prescribed to avoid transplant rejection. Because these drugs cause a general inhibition of the immune system, several unwanted consequences can occur, including cancer. Achieving an appropriate level of immune suppression to prevent rejection but at the same time avoiding over-immune suppression that may lead to an increased risk of cancer is a major challenge in the management of transplant patients. Considering the tendency of kidney transplant recipients to experience faster tumor progression, poor response to cancer treatment, and, ultimately, a higher risk of mortality in comparison to the general population, it is crucial to understand the role of immune suppression drugs as risk factors for the development of cancer in this patient population. This knowledge may help inform on opportunities to personalize management of immune suppression in kidney transplant recipients with the objective, among others, to prevent the occurrence of cancer following kidney transplantation.