New hand transplant protocol aims to cut lifelong drug risks

This Phase 2 trial at Johns Hopkins University will transplant donated hands onto 30 people who have lost one or both hands or arms. The key innovation is a bone marrow cell therapy designed to allow the body to accept the new hand with just one low-dose anti-rejection drug, instead of the usual three-drug cocktail. The goal is to restore function and appearance while reducing the long-term risks of infection, cancer, and other side effects from standard immunosuppression.