Gary Levy
Profile: Senior Scientist, Toronto General Research Institute (UHN)
Department: Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
We have initiated two clinical trials in tolerance in solid organ transplantation. In the first trial (LITMUS), we are testing if a gene expression profile can identify operationally tolerant liver transplant recipients. This profile is derived from our pre-clinical studies and includes proinflammatory and immunoregulatory genes. We have identified a cohort of liver transplant recipients who have a tolerant gene profile and we are now withdrawing immunosuppression in these patients. In the second trial (ASCOTT), we are testing if autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can be used to induce tolerance in liver transplant
recipients. This trial is designed for transplant recipients who are experiencing complications after transplantation such as reoccurrence of autoimmune liver disease. The ASCOTT trial is being performed in collaboration with Dr. Harold Atkins at The Ottawa Hospital.