WIT @ ASHI 2025
Studies in heart transplantation show that women face longer wait times and underutilization of mechanical circulatory support (Roopa Rao et al., 2025, Current Cardiology Reports). In kidney transplantation, women are more likely to serve as living donors yet less likely to receive transplants, with sensitization and immune differences contributing to inequity (Nautiyal et al., 2024, Front Nephrol). In liver transplantation, disparities persist: females experience lower access, and Hispanic women face worse outcomes and organ offers (Locke et al., JAMA Surg 2020; Shelton et al., Transplant Direct 2023; Sosa et al., Transplant Direct 2023). Lung transplantation demonstrates similar inequities, with women less likely to be listed, waiting longer, and undergoing transplant at lower rates (Saito et al., J Heart Lung Transplant 2021; Brown et al., Respir Res 2024). In hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), donor–recipient sex mismatch influences alloimmune responses: male donors yield higher stem cell counts, but female recipients achieve superior survival (Kim et al., Transplantation 2016; Islam et al., ASTCT J 2021).
Beyond outcomes, women remain underrepresented in clinical trials and leadership roles. Integrating sex- and gender-based analyses (Mannon et al., 2022, Front Immunol) and addressing sociocultural barriers (Puoti et al., 2016, Biol Sex Differ) are critical.
UCLA, USA
Introduction
University of Pittsburgh, USA
Thoracic (Heart/Lung Transplant)
UCLA, USA
Abdominal (Kidney/Liver Transplant)
MHC Therapeutics Bioconsulting, USA
HSCT / Stem Cell Transplant
UCLA, USA
Moderator
Announcement of 2025-2027 WIT Indigenous Research Grant Winner
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Dr. Johanna Birrell
Project Title:
Emory University of Sydney
Australia
Transplant Inequities: Knowledge and Access
2025 Advancing DEI in Transplantation Conference
Registration is now open for the 2025 Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Transplantation: A Global Perspective Conference, taking place October 25 - 26, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This second edition will be co-located with the 6th Congress of International Advanced HBP Surgery (ISLS 2025) featuring a Joint Session with Keynote Speaker Dr. Nouman Ashraf addressing "Enabling Exemplary Care Through Behavioural Empathy"
Early-bird Registration Deadline – August 10, 2025
WIT members are eligible for a reduced registration fee at $ 250.00
Announcement of 2025-2027 WIT Fellowship and LMIC Research Grant Winners
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Dr. Annika Gompers
Project Title:
Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
Atlanta, USA
Examining Multilevel Determinants of Intersectional Gender and Racial Disparities in Kidney Transplant Access in the United States
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Dr. Khushboo Saxena
Project Title:
Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Center - Institute of Transplantation Sciences
Ahmedabad, India
Developing and Testing Digital Tools to Expand Access to Kidney Transplantation: A Gender-Focused Approach
Announcement of 2024 WIT Award Winners
MD, PhD, Nephrology
National Medical Center
Senior Consultant
Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University
Iranian Society of Organ Donation
Women in Transplantation - Showcase of WIT Members
WIT is proud to feature individuals who contribute to WIT’s mission of: (1) Advancing and inspiring women transplant professionals (Pillar 1), (2) Championing issues of sex and gender in transplantation (Pillar 2), and (3) Advocacy to address sex and gender-related disparities in transplantation (Pillar 3). Learn more about clinicians, researchers, and patients who shed light on disparities and try to overcome them to improve patient outcomes.
University of Sydney, Australia
Bio
The University of Sydney
Dr Brenda Maria Rosales is a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at The University of Sydney. PhD graduate in 2021, she was awarded the Sanofi Women in Transplantation Research Fellowship Grant for Research in Gender and Sex in Transplantation in 2022. She has received TTS Young Investigator and TSANZ Early Career Researcher awards.
The Impact of Sex & Gender on Equity and Access to Cancer Care for Kidney Transplant Recipients
Cancer mortality in kidney transplant recipients differs by age and sex. This indicates possible systemic biases in the delivery of cancer care. There is a need to evaluate current clinical practice to identify points of sex and gender inequity in and healthcare delivery for cancer management in kidney transplant recipients.
Cancer disproportionally impacts kidney transplant recipients, but it affects men and women differently. Male kidney transplant recipients have higher absolute cancer incidence and mortality compared to females; however, female kidney transplant recipients experience greater excess cancer death(1,2). Sex and gender differences have also been described in access to healthcare and consequently there has been an increase of gender-based health plans, particularly in cardiovascular disease(3,4).
Investigation of how sex impact access to cancer care may identify systemic biases in cancer care delivery to kidney transplant recipients.
Using existing health data and survey of kidney transplant recipients, our work asks, how do sex and gender impact access and equity in cancer care for kidney transplant recipients?
What does the data say?
We will use evidence integration and population data to investigate the impact of sex on access to cancer screening, efficacy of cancer treatment and, relative survival in kidney transplant recipients with cancer.
What do our patients say?
We will explore gender-based experiences of cancer care in kidney transplant recipients using focus-group interviews and online preferences surveys to identify barriers in access and elicit patient preferences for treatment.
What does it mean for our patients?
Our work will provide a better understanding of the varied needs of males, females and people of nonbinary gender and, how current cancer prevention and treatment strategies differ by sex & gender. Our findings will inform strategies to deliver more equitable cancer care for kidney transplant recipients to balance its benefits and harms.
Literature
- Rosales et al. 2020, IntJCancer (doi:10.1002/ijc.32585)
- Rosales et al. 2022, AJKD (doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.03.010)
- De La Mata et al. 2021, BMJ (doi:10.1136/BMJ-2021-068247)
- Wyld et al. 2020, Transplantation (DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000003224)
Pillar 3 Patient Brochure
Recent Past Event Recordings
Women's Barrier to Transplant
Who can take part?
• Women over 18 years of age
What will be involved in participating?
• Global interviews are taking place
• Held at a time that suits you
• Face-to-face via telephone or video conference
What will be asked?
How accessible your treatment has been and some of the hurdles you may have faced living with your transplanted kidney.
If you are interested in participating, please contact:
Nicole Scholes-Robertson
Research Fellow and Transplant recipient
Email:
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