Sergio Acuna, MD, PhD

Elegant nationwide study linking impaired immune surveillance to colorectal carcinogenesis in transplant recipients. Kidney transplant recipients show a selective increase in dMMR CRC, but not pMMR CRC, supporting the idea that neoantigen-rich tumors normally controlled by the immune system can progress under chronic immunosuppression. amjtransplant.org/article/S1600-…

These findings support carefully balancing tacrolimus exposure between rejection prevention and oncologic risk. Especially in higher-risk cancer recipients (prior cancer history, older recipients, transplanted for cancer).

Our new population-based cohort study of 5,178 SOTRs shows ↑ cumulative tacrolimus exposure is independently associated with ↑ post-transplant de novo malignancy. Key findings: • Linear exposure–risk relationship (no clear safety threshold) • Present across all solid organ transplants • Even modest increases (7 → 8.4 ng/mL over 1 year) ↑ cancer risk by ~9% 🔗 doi.org/10.1002/ijc.70… #TransplantOncology #Immunosuppression #SOT

Cancer is a core outcome in #KidneyTransplant trials but it's inconsistently reported. In this international study, patients & clinicians prioritized: ✅Cancer occurrence ✅Cancer-related death ✅Impact on graft function doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir… #TransplantOncology @KIReports

For #CholangiocarcinomaDay, education empowers patients. Dr. Sheikh spoke on surgery for bile duct cancers at the 2026 Cholangiocarcinoma Symposium — part of our Division of Transplant’s commitment to improving outcomes in CCA. Together, we move the field forward. #GreenForCCA

From black tie dinners to life-saving decisions — this is transplant life. So proud of our fellows locked in on an organ offer with me, even in the middle of the gala. Dedication never clocks out. #UABSurgery #UABTransplant

Last week was momentous. Completed UAB’s first robotic kidney transplant cases, expanding minimally invasive options for our transplant patients. Made possible through the mentorship of Dr. Michael Hanaway and Dr. Adeel Khan—deeply grateful for their guidance to help me get this accomplished. Grateful for leadership support @herbchen @garonzikwang @UABSurgery @ASTSChimera

first robotic kidney transplant @UABSurgery by @RabbaniUmaid and our fantastic transplant team. @garonzikwang

The UAB Division of Transplantation recently performed a split-liver transplantation, led by Drs. Saulat Sheikh and Marcos Pozo Jatem - marking the first use of this life-saving procedure at UAB and Children’s in almost a decade. 💻 Learn more: bit.ly/4pS380a.

It’s been a pleasure collaborating with surgeons from Alabama and Mexico. This course offers an exceptional opportunity to refine robotic HPB skills, I strongly recommend it to anyone committed to advancing their expertise in the field. #roboticsurgery @IntuitiveSurg

Organ donation saves lives, but fewer Americans are signing up to be organ donors. A trend that is threatening this life-saving system. Read ASTS President Dr. Jim Markmann’s op-ed in @Newsweek to learn why action is needed now: newsweek.com/america-needs-…

Excellent example of applying a non-inferiority approach in meta-analysis. Both NI trials and MAs can struggle when margins lack clinical relevance—balancing clinically meaningful differences with study feasibility remains a challenge. Meta-analysis may help address this tension.

Passing on the craft: senior fellow mentoring the junior fellow through their 1st liver transplant. Building the future of transplant surgery, one case at a time. #UABTransplant @ASTSChimera @UABSurgery @RabbaniUmaid

Great week at the #WTC2025 Witnessed some ground breaking work from our transplant science colleagues from around the world. Grateful for all the connections, and learning. Congratulations to @mjonescarrMD for presenting her work from UAB @UABSurgery @uabmedicine @ASTSChimera

Transplant team representation at the World Transplant Congress @UABSurgery @uabmedicine @WTC2025

While the rest of the transplant team represents at #WTC2025, we had the pleasure of holding down the fort in Birmingham 🇺🇸 with a great evening of conversation with Dr. Pal Dag Line @pdline from University of Oslo 🇳🇴 @UABSurgery #TransplantOncology

More disappointing news in #HCC: Adjuvant pembrolizumab failed to beat surveillance in the global P3 #KEYNOTE-937 trial (NCT03867084). Merck disclosed the negative result quietly in an SEC filing. Not unexpected after #IMbrave050

Our new study finds that some regions still discard more donor livers than others—even after policy changes. But advanced perfusion is helping more livers get used and reducing high-discard areas. @UABSurgery @LTxJournal ➡️ journals.lww.com/lt/abstract/99… #LiverTransplant #NMP #NRP

Geographic variation in utilization of deceased donor livers in the United States in the era of advanced perfusion journals.lww.com/lt/abstract/99…

How does combining everolimus with calcineurin inhibitor therapy impact cancer risk after liver transplant? Nationwide study finds combination therapy lowers HCC & extrahepatic cancer risk in liver transplant recipients doi.org/10.1016/j.ajt.… @SukChan_Jang #livertransplant