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Project

Project Crossover+

The crossover program is for patients with a living kidney donor who are able to donate, but not to them. By pairing couples through the program, an exchange becomes possible.

In the Crossover+ project, the crossover program is being further developed to also give difficult-to-transplant patients a better chance of finding a suitable donor.

Reason

Patients with blood type O or B, or with antibodies against many tissue recognition points, often have to wait a very long time for a transplant.

Since the start of crossover in 2002, there have been many developments with living donors. For example, it is sometimes possible to transplant across blood types thanks to filters.

Furthermore, through Crossover, we are matching altruistic donors more often, who do not come with a patient, which makes more matches possible. In the new Crossover+, we have integrated all of this.

What is the goal?

The goal of the project is to contribute to more transplantation opportunities for highly immunized and long-waiting patients. Children can also participate in Crossover+.

Doctor having a conversation

Collaboration

The new algorithm was developed by Erasmus MC (Erasmus Q Intelligence). The implementation of Crossover+ is being rolled out nationwide by the NTS. In this, the NTS works together with professionals from all transplant centers.

Other involved parties are:

  • HLA-lab Leiden
  • National Kidney Transplantation Consultation (LONT)
Doctors in consultation

Approach and planning

The project started in 2024. The CIAT algorithm is being adapted into a national protocol that will be incorporated into the program. After extensive testing, it will be implemented. In November 2025, phase one of the project was completed and the first matching round was run using the new algorithm. The full project will be delivered in the first quarter of 2026.

Colleagues working together

Patient information

For couples who (want to) participate in the Cross-over program for kidney donation, we have information on our website.

Explanation of cross-over