Joren C. Madsen, MD, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Academic Titles

Professor, Surgery, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Leukemia

Member, Cancer Immunology

Research Abstract

The risk of cancer in immunosuppressed transplant recipients is significantly elevated. Suppression of the immune system leads to decreased resistance to viral infection and associated increased risk of certain cancers, mainly those with a viral aetiology. In our laboratory, we are investigating ways to induce immune tolerance and allow allograft acceptance in patients in need of a transplant without the need for chronic immunosuppression. The goal of our investigations is to achieve a state of tolerance to the donor organ which will also assure that immune competence is maintained so that the risk of cancer is similar to that of the general public.