Raeda Taj

Dr. Raeda Taj

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 January 2023 in American Journal of Transplantation
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
ABAleah L. Brubaker
Aleah L. Brubaker
MUMarcus Anthony Urey
Marcus Anthony Urey
RTRaeda Taj
Raeda Taj
JPJustin R. Parekh
Justin R. Parekh
JBJennifer Berumen
Jennifer Berumen
GSGabriel T. Schnickel
Gabriel T. Schnickel
AL amyloidosis is a rare condition characterized by the overproduction of an unstable free light chain, protein misfolding and aggregation, and extracellular deposition that can progress to multiorgan involvement and failure. To our knowledge, this is the first worldwide report to describe triple organ transplantation for AL amyloidosis and triple organ transplantation using thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion recovery with a donation from a circulatory death (DCD) donor. The recipient was a 40-year-old man with multiorgan AL amyloidosis with a terminal prognosis without multiorgan transplantation. An appropriate DCD donor was selected for sequential heart, liver, and kidney transplants via our center's thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion pathway. The liver was additionally placed on an ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion, and the kidney was maintained on hypothermic machine perfusion while awaiting implantation. The heart transplant was completed first (cold ischemic time [CIT]: 131 minutes), followed by the liver transplant (CIT: 87 minutes, normothermic machine perfusion: 301 minutes). Kidney transplantation was performed the following day (CIT: 1833 minutes). He is 8 months posttransplant without evidence of heart, liver, or kidney graft dysfunction or rejection. This case highlights the feasibility of normothermic recovery and storage modalities for DCD donors, which can expand transplant opportunities for allografts previously not considered for multiorgan transplantations.

4 June 2026 in New England Journal of Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
VBVijay G. Bhoj
Vijay G. Bhoj
MKMary Kaminski
Mary Kaminski
HZHuiwu Zhao
Huiwu Zhao
KJKyle Jackson
Kyle Jackson
WWWei Wang
Wei Wang
ANAli Naji
Ali Naji
HLA sensitization poses a major challenge to kidney transplantation for patients with end-stage kidney disease, especially for highly sensitized candidates. Attempts at antibody elimination (desensitization) have demonstrated inconsistent efficacy and often fail to produce sustained reductions in anti-HLA antibodies in patients with the highest level of sensitization (cPRA ≥99.9%). We now report a pilot study (part of a multi-center Phase I clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of combined CD19− and BCMA-targeted CAR T cells to eliminate the cellular sources of pre-formed HLA antibodies [NCT06056102]) in two patients after apparently successful desensitization and transplantation with the use of dual CAR T therapy.

21 November 2022 in Journal of Surgical Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RTRaeda Taj
Raeda Taj
SCSophie H. Chung
Sophie H. Chung
NGNicole H. Goldhaber
Nicole H. Goldhaber
BLBryan H. Louie
Bryan H. Louie
JMJordan G. Marganski
Jordan G. Marganski
SBSarah L Blair
Sarah L Blair

20 June 2024 in Transplantation Direct
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
ABAmay Banker
Amay Banker
CCClaire Cywes
Claire Cywes
NMNicolas Muñoz
Nicolas Muñoz
RTRaeda Taj
Raeda Taj
TBTherese Md Bittermann
Therese Md Bittermann
SGSamir Abu Gazala
Samir Abu Gazala
Background.: The prevalence of obesity is rising in the general population. Donor obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) may potentially reduce the donor pool and impact outcomes in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods.: We utilized the national transplant database to investigate the impact of donor obesity on donor and recipient outcomes. This was a retrospective cohort study of all LDLTs performed in the United States between January 2010 and June 2023. Outcomes of interest were analyzed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Patient and graft survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional analysis. Results.: Six hundred seventy-four donors with obesity and 3498 donors without obesity were analyzed. Donors with obesity had higher rates of readmission within 1 y of donation (15.9% versus 11.6%; P = 0.003). The risk of readmission was significantly different between 6 wk and 6 mo of donation (8.8% versus 5.9%; P = 0.036). Donor body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 1.460; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.129-1.999; P = 0.004) and preoperative alkaline phosphatase levels (OR, 1.005; 95% CI, 1.000-1.011; P = 0.038) were independent predictors of donor readmission. High LDLT center volume was associated with reduced odds of donor readmission (OR, 0.509; 95% CI, 0.373-0.694; P < 0.001). Graft and recipient survival was comparable. Conclusions.: Selection of living donors with obesity may be a potential avenue to increase the available donor pool without compromising recipient outcomes; however, they are at an increased risk for readmission between 6 wk and 6 mo of donation. The reason for readmission requires further study.

28 October 2023 in Transplantation Proceedings
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RTRaeda Taj
Raeda Taj
DODanae Olaso
Danae Olaso
GSGabriel T. Schnickel
Gabriel T. Schnickel
ABAleah L. Brubaker
Aleah L. Brubaker

9 January 2025 in JIMD Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
RTRaeda Taj
Raeda Taj
KNKim Ng
Kim Ng
SCSanmati R. Cuddapah
Sanmati R. Cuddapah
ERElizabeth B. Rand
Elizabeth B. Rand
MBMelissa Bleicher
Melissa Bleicher
PAPeter L. Abt
Peter L. Abt
Many inherited metabolic disorders (IMD) are associated with end‐organ damage necessitating organ transplantation. Although utilization of deceased donors with history of IMD warrants caution, there may be circumstances under which such donors could be considered as suitable organ donor candidates. We present the first known report of liver transplantation from a deceased donor with cystinosis. The donor was a 20‐year‐old male with infantile cystinosis who had previously undergone two deceased donor kidney transplants. Unfortunately, he incurred cranial trauma, and after careful consideration of the metabolic consequences, his liver was deemed suitable for transplantation. The liver was successfully transplanted into a 65‐year‐old female recipient with hepatitis C (HCV) cirrhosis. The recipient is currently 12 months post‐transplant and experiencing good graft function without evidence of cystine crystals on liver biopsy. This case highlights that liver transplantation from donors with rare IMD can result in favorable outcomes. However, it is crucial to approach the use of such livers with caution. These transplants should be considered after a thorough assessment, ensuring that a comprehensive decision‐making process is in place to mitigate potential risks.