“World first” for a patient transplanted with both hands from Hull

A woman who had both hands transplanted has undergone pioneering NHS treatment to stop her body rejecting them.

Tanya Shepherd, from Hull, became the first woman in the UK to receive two replacement hands in 2018, only when her immune system identified the tissue as foreign.

Now, in what is believed to be a world first, she received a blood treatment called plasma exchange, in which antibodies are removed to reduce the risk of rejection.

Ms Shepherd, 48, said rejection was “a real and scary risk” but she was “honoured” to be the first to trial the treatment.

Her symptoms, which included swelling, reduced dexterity and changes in skin pigmentation, have now started to improve.

Ms Shepherd received a double hand and arm transplant at Leeds General Infirmary in September 2018 after losing both hands and three-quarters of her left arm to sepsis.

However, she began suffering symptoms of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) – a type of rejection in which the immune system identifies the tissue as foreign and produces antibodies to fight it.

She is being treated in Leeds by Therapeutic Apheresis Services, an NHS team that removes harmful and pathogenic proteins, chemicals or cells from patients’ blood.

Ms Shepherd received 10 sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange, during which plasma is removed from the blood to rapidly decrease or eliminate antibodies.

She must now begin immunosuppressive treatment in the hope of preventing a further rise in antibody levels.

Dr James Griffin, medical director of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Our aim is to protect the transplant while other therapies prevent Tanya’s immune system from making the antibodies and we are pleased that the treatment has served to relieve Tanya’s symptoms. .”

Ms Shepherd said the treatment had been made possible thanks to “generous blood and plasma donors” and urged more people to sign up.

“I am forever grateful to those who have already done this, who have helped me on my journey,” she added.

Health Minister Andrea Leadsom said: “Organ rejection poses a real risk to transplant recipients and can have devastating consequences.

“NHS Blood and Transplant continues to champion innovative treatments like this world’s first plasma exchange, enabling patients to receive further treatment and live their lives to the fullest. »