Key Documents

NIH Biosketch available Online

Minnie Sarwal

Professor - Med Center Line, Pediatrics - Nephrology
Member, Bio-X

Contact Information

Clinical Offices

Pediatric Nephrology Clinic 770 Welch Rd Ste 300 Palo Alto, CA 94304
Telephone Work (650) 724-0353 Fax (650) 722-6685
Academic Offices

Personal Information

Administrative Contact
Mary Hansen Administrative Associate Email mrh@stanford.edu Tel Work (650) 723-4517

Not for medical emergencies or patient use

Clinical Focus

Nephrology (Kidney), Pediatric
Pediatric Nephrology

Honors and Awards

Outreach Committee Core Member, International Pediatric Transplant Association (2007-9)
Hospital Leadership, LPCH (2005-6)
Key Opinion Leader, The Transplantation Society (2006, 2007)
Councillor, International Pediatric Transplant Association (2006-10)
Senator at Large, Faculty Senate, Stanford University (2006-9)
Faculty Fellow, Stanford University Mentored Leadership Selection Program (2005-6)
CHRC-NIH Faculty Research Award, NIH (2002-5)
Dean's Resident Teaching Award, Stanford University (2005)
Associate Editor, American Journal of Transplantation (2004-7)
PhD, Cambridge University (Molecular Genetics), UK (1995)
Medical Research Council (MRC) Training Fellowship, Medical Research Council, UK (1991)
MRCP, Royal College of Physicians, UK (1989)
DCH, University of London, UK (1988)
MD, Calcutta University, India (1985)
Magna Cum Laude, Calcutta University (1985)
Aesculapius Award, Calcutta University (1985)

Professional Education

University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine (1995) England, UK
Leicester Royal Infirmary (1990) England
Grantham & Kesteven Hospital (1989) England
Calcutta Medical College (1987) India
Calcutta Medical College (1987) India
Ph.D., Cambridge University Molecular Genetics (1995)
M.R.C.P., Royal College of Physicians, UK (1990)
D.C.H., University of London, UK Pediatrics (1989)
M.B.B.S., Calcutta Medical College Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology (1985)
I.S.C., La Martiniere, Calcutta, India (1981)

Graduate & Fellowship Program Affiliations

Web Site Links

Sarwal Lab Site

Research Interests

Translational research into the molecular and immunological basis of transplant dysfunction. Using competitive quantitaive RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, granulysin was identified as a novel peripheral blood marker for transplant rejection, and its distribution in tissue defined steroid resistance or sensitivity. Prospective screening studies are underway to define this as a predictive assay for subclinical rejection.

cDNA Microarray analysis is being conducted on blood and tissue specimens in patients undergoing steroid based and a novel steroid free immunosuppression protocol (designed by Drs Sarwal and Salvatierra at Stanford). Samples are simultaeously hybridized to 23,000 human cDNA's (with about 40% of these cDNA's being unidentified novel genes) in collaboration with Dr. Pat Brown at Stanford.
New mecahnisms and genes are being identified for acute rejection, chronic rejection and drug nephrotoxicity. This information may allow for clearer differentiation between these varying causes of transplant dysfunction, without biopsy analysis and also offer means to individualizing immunotherapy for transplant patients.

Clinical Trials

Pediatric Study of Darbepoeitin Alfa weekly versus every two weeks to correct anemia in children with Chronic Kidney disease. Recruiting
Efficacy study of Sriolimus, in place of Prograf, post-transplant to decrease kidney scarring and improveme kidney function and survival of the kidney. Not yet recruiting
Rituximab for pediatric renal transplant rejection Completed
Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Prospective Cohort Study (CKiD) Enrolling by Invitation
Safety Efficacy of Iron Sucrose in Children No longer recruiting

Publications

Caspase-4 may play a role in loss of proximal tubules and renal injury in nephropathic cystinosis. Sansanwal P, Kambham N, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Nephrol. 2009;
Protein microarrays identify antibodies to protein kinase Czeta that are associated with a greater risk of allograft loss in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Sutherland SM, Li L, Sigdel TK, Wadia PP, Miklos DB, Butte AJ, Sarwal MM. Kidney Int. 2009;
C3 polymorphisms and outcomes of renal allografts. Naesens M, Butte AJ, Sarwal MM. N Engl J Med. 2009; 360 (23): 2478; author reply 2478-9
Long-term outcome following pediatric liver transplantation for metabolic disorders. Stevenson T, Millan MT, Wayman K, Berquist WE, Sarwal M, Johnston EE, Esquivel CO, Enns GM. Pediatr Transplant. 2009;
Deconvoluting the 'omics for organ transplantation. Sarwal MM, Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2009;
Interpreting the proteome and peptidome in transplantation. Sigdel TK, Klassen RB, Sarwal MM. Adv Clin Chem. 2009; 47 139-69
Steroid-free immunosuppression since 1999: 129 pediatric renal transplants with sustained graft and patient benefits. Li L, Chang A, Naesens M, Kambham N, Waskerwitz J, Martin J, Wong C, Alexander S, Grimm P, Concepcion W, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Am J Transplant. 2009; 9 (6): 1362-72
Expression of complement components differs between kidney allografts from living and deceased donors. Naesens M, Li L, Ying L, Sansanwal P, Sigdel TK, Hsieh SC, Kambham N, Lerut E, Salvatierra O, Butte AJ, Sarwal MM. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009; 20 (8): 1839-51
Standardizing resistive indices in healthy pediatric transplant recipients of adult-sized kidneys. Gholami S, Sarwal MM, Naesens M, Ringertz HG, Barth RA, Balise RR, Salvatierra O. Pediatr Transplant. 2009;
Using gene arrays in diagnosis of rejection. Khatri P, Sarwal MM. Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2009; 14 (1): 34-9
Steroid-free immunosuppression in pediatric renal transplantation: rationale outcomes following conversion to steroid based therapy. Sutherland S, Li L, Concepcion W, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Transplantation. 2009; 87 (11): 1744-8
In praise of arrays. Ying L, Sarwal M. Pediatr Nephrol. 2009; 24 (9): 1643-59; quiz 1655, 1659
Extended daclizumab monotherapy for rejection-free survival in non-adherent adolescent recipients of renal allografts. Chaudhuri A, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Transplant. 2009; 13 (7): 927-32
A critical look at the immunologically favorable adult-sized kidney transplant in small children. Salvatierra O, Concepcion W, Sarwal M. Pediatr Transplant. 2009; 13 (3): 265-7
Calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity. Naesens M, Kuypers DR, Sarwal M. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009; 4 (2): 481-508
Identifying compartment-specific non-HLA targets after renal transplantation by integrating transcriptome and "antibodyome" measures. Li L, Wadia P, Chen R, Kambham N, Naesens M, Sigdel TK, Miklos DB, Sarwal MM, Butte AJ. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009; 106 (11): 4148-53
Optimizing protein recovery for urinary proteomics, a tool to monitor renal transplantation. Sigdel TK, Lau K, Schilling J, Sarwal M. Clin Transplant. 2008 Sep-Oct; 22 (5): 617-23
Combined liver-kidney transplantation in children: indications and outcome. Sutherland SM, Alexander SR, Sarwal MM, Berquist WE, Concepcion W. Pediatr Transplant. 2008; 12 (8): 835-46
Potential influence of tacrolimus and steroid avoidance on early graft function in pediatric renal transplantation. Li L, Weintraub L, Concepcion W, Martin JP, Miller K, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Transplant. 2008; 12 (6): 701-7
Maturation of dose-corrected tacrolimus predose trough levels in pediatric kidney allograft recipients. Naesens M, Salvatierra O, Li L, Kambham N, Concepcion W, Sarwal M. Transplantation. 2008; 85 (8): 1139-45
Characterization of intra-graft B cells during renal allograft rejection. Zarkhin V, Kambham N, Li L, Kwok S, Hsieh SC, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Kidney Int. 2008; 74 (5): 664-73
Patient selection critical for calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal in pediatric kidney transplantation. Weintraub L, Li L, Kambham N, Alexander S, Concepcion W, Miller K, Wong C, Salvatierra O, Sarwal M. Pediatr Transplant. 2008; 12 (5): 541-9
"To B or not to B?" B-cells and graft rejection. Zarkhin V, Li L, Sarwal M. Transplantation. 2008; 85 (12): 1705-14
Renal transplantation in children with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava requires careful assessment and planning. Salvatierra O, Concepcion W, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Nephrol. 2008; 23 (12): 2107-9
The proteogenomic path towards biomarker discovery. Sigdel TK, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Transplant. 2008; 12 (7): 737-47
A randomized, prospective trial of rituximab for acute rejection in pediatric renal transplantation. Zarkhin V, Li L, Kambham N, Sigdel T, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Am J Transplant. 2008; 8 (12): 2607-17
Microarrays: monitoring for transplant tolerance and mechanistic insights. Zarkhin V, Sarwal MM. Clin Lab Med. 2008; 28 (3): 385-410, vi
Out with the old, in with the new: immunosuppression minimization in children. Sarwal MM, Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2008; 13 (5): 513-21
Looking into the crystal chip: can microarrays predict graft function? Naesens M, Sarwal M. Transplantation. 2008; 85 (4): 499-500
Liposomal amphotericin B associated with severe hyperphosphatemia. Sutherland SM, Hong DK, Balagtas J, Gutierrez K, Dvorak CC, Sarwal M. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2008; 27 (1): 77-9
Interference of globin genes with biomarker discovery for allograft rejection in peripheral blood samples. Li L, Ying L, Naesens M, Xiao W, Sigdel T, Hsieh S, Martin J, Chen R, Liu K, Mindrinos M, Davis R, Sarwal M. Physiol Genomics. 2008; 32 (2): 190-7
Transplant reno-vascular stenoses associated with early erythropoietin use. Nagarajan S, Mansfield E, Hsieh S, Liu R, Hsieh F, Li L, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Clin Transplant. 2007 Sep-Oct; 21 (5): 597-608
A novel, semiquantitative, clinically correlated calcineurin inhibitor toxicity score for renal allograft biopsies. Kambham N, Nagarajan S, Shah S, Li L, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007; 2 (1): 135-42
The evolution of nonimmune histological injury and its clinical relevance in adult-sized kidney grafts in pediatric recipients. Naesens M, Kambham N, Concepcion W, Salvatierra O, Sarwal M. Am J Transplant. 2007; 7 (11): 2504-14
Identification of a peripheral blood transcriptional biomarker panel associated with operational renal allograft tolerance. Brouard S, Mansfield E, Braud C, Li L, Giral M, Hsieh SC, Baeten D, Zhang M, Ashton-Chess J, Braudeau C, Hsieh F, Dupont A, Pallier A, Moreau A, Louis S, Ruiz C, Salvatierra O, Soulillou JP, Sarwal M. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007; 104 (39): 15448-53
Subclinical cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus viremia are associated with adverse outcomes in pediatric renal transplantation. Li L, Chaudhuri A, Weintraub LA, Hsieh F, Shah S, Alexander S, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Transplant. 2007; 11 (2): 187-95
Optimizing outcomes for neonatal ARPKD. Beaunoyer M, Snehal M, Li L, Concepcion W, Salvatierra O, Sarwal M. Pediatr Transplant. 2007; 11 (3): 267-71
Sirolimus is not always responsible for new-onset proteinuria after conversion for chronic allograft nephropathy. Abdurrahman Z, Sarwal M, Millan M, Robertson S, Filler G. Pediatr Transplant. 2007; 11 (3): 336-9
Immunosuppression minimization in pediatric transplantation. Sarwal M, Pascual J. Am J Transplant. 2007; 7 (10): 2227-35
Proteinuria in pediatric renal transplant recipients during the first 60 post-transplant days. Chua AN, Alexander SR, Sarwal MM, Millan M, Salvatierra O, Yorgin PD. Pediatr Transplant. 2006; 10 (8): 957-61
Designer genes: Filling the gap in transplantation. Sarwal MM, Li L. Transplantation. 2006; 82 (10): 1261-72
Option of pre-emptive nephrectomy and renal transplantation for Bartter's syndrome. Chaudhuri A, Salvatierra O, Alexander SR, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Transplant. 2006; 10 (2): 266-70
Chipping into the human genome: novel insights for transplantation. Sarwal MM, Immunol Rev. 2006; 210 138-55
Steroid elimination is coming of age. Sarwal M, Pediatr Nephrol. 2006; 21 (1): 2-4
Microarrays: a monitoring tool for transplant patients? Weintraub LA, Sarwal MM. Transpl Int. 2006; 19 (10): 775-88
Successful renal transplantation in high-risk small children with a completely thrombosed inferior vena cava. Eneriz-Wiemer M, Sarwal M, Donovan D, Costaglio C, Concepción W, Salvatierra O. Transplantation. 2006; 82 (9): 1148-52
Three cases of suspected antibody-mediated rejection. Sutherland SM, Sarwal M. Clin Transpl. 2006; 473-8
Vulnerability of small pediatric recipients to laparoscopic living donor kidneys. Salvatierra O, Sarwal M. Am J Transplant. 2005; 5 (2): 201-2
Gastrointestinal leukocytoclastic vasculitis: an adverse effect of sirolimus. Nagarajan S, Friedrich T, Garcia M, Kambham N, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Transplant. 2005; 9 (1): 97-100
Correlation between gene expression and morphological alterations in baboon carotid after balloon dilatation injury. Aavik E, Mahapatra A, Boldrick J, Chen X, Barry C, Dutoit D, Sarwal M, Häyry P. FASEB J. 2005; 19 (1): 130-2
Mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric renal transplantation. Ettenger R, Sarwal MM. Transplantation. 2005; 80 (2 Suppl): S201-10
Corticosteroid avoidance in pediatric renal transplantation. Vidhun JR, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Nephrol. 2005; 20 (3): 418-26
Management of methylmalonic acidaemia by combined liver-kidney transplantation. Nagarajan S, Enns GM, Millan MT, Winter S, Sarwal MM. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2005; 28 (4): 517-24
Expression profiling of murine double-negative regulatory T cells suggest mechanisms for prolonged cardiac allograft survival. Lee BP, Mansfield E, Hsieh SC, Hernandez-Boussard T, Chen W, Thomson CW, Ford MS, Bosinger SE, Der S, Zhang ZX, Zhang M, Kelvin DJ, Sarwal MM, Zhang L. J Immunol. 2005; 174 (8): 4535-44
First NIH/Office of Rare Diseases Conference on Cystinosis: past, present, and future. Kleta R, Kaskel F, Dohil R, Goodyer P, Guay-Woodford LM, Harms E, Ingelfinger JR, Koch VH, Langman CB, Leonard MB, Mannon RB, Sarwal M, Schneider JA, Skovby F, Sonies BC, Thoene JG, Trauner DA, Gahl WA. Pediatr Nephrol. 2005; 20 (4): 452-4
Transcriptional analysis of the molecular basis of human kidney aging using cDNA microarray profiling. Melk A, Mansfield ES, Hsieh SC, Hernandez-Boussard T, Grimm P, Rayner DC, Halloran PF, Sarwal MM. Kidney Int. 2005; 68 (6): 2667-79
Microangiopathy of brain, retina, and inner ear (Susac's syndrome) in an adolescent female presenting as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Hahn JS, Lannin WC, Sarwal MM. Pediatrics. 2004; 114 (1): 276-81
Arraying the orchestration of allograft pathology. Mansfield ES, Sarwal MM. Am J Transplant. 2004; 4 (6): 853-62
Postdialysis albumin: a better nutrition marker in pediatric hemodialysis patients? Wapensky T, Alexander SR, Sarwal M. J Ren Nutr. 2004; 14 (1): 45-51
Corticosteroid avoidance in pediatric renal transplantation: can it be achieved? Vidhun JR, Sarwal MM. Paediatr Drugs. 2004; 6 (5): 273-87
Noncirrhotic portal hypertension in association with juvenile nephropathic cystinosis: Case presentation and review of the literature P. DiDomenico, Noncirrhotic portal hypertension in association with juvenile nephropathic cystinosis: Case presentation and review of the literature. 2004;
Noncirrhotic portal hypertension in association with juvenile nephropathic cystinosis: case presentation and review of the literature. DiDomenico P, Berry G, Bass D, Fridge J, Sarwal M. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2004; 27 (5): 693-9
Microarrays: interrogating the transplant transcriptosome. Shah S, Sarwal MM. Clin Transpl. 2004; 261-7
Chronic rejection: prospects for therapeutic intervention in fibroproliferative vascular disease. Häyry P, Aavik E, Sarwal M, du Toit D, Vamvakopoulos J. Exp Clin Transplant. 2003; 1 (1): 35-8
One hundred percent patient and kidney allograft survival with simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation in infants with primary hyperoxaluria: a single-center experience. Millan MT, Berquist WE, So SK, Sarwal MM, Wayman KI, Cox KL, Filler G, Salvatierra O, Esquivel CO. Transplantation. 2003; 76 (10): 1458-63
Continued superior outcomes with modification and lengthened follow-up of a steroid-avoidance pilot with extended daclizumab induction in pediatric renal transplantation. Sarwal MM, Vidhun JR, Alexander SR, Satterwhite T, Millan M, Salvatierra O. Transplantation. 2003; 76 (9): 1331-9
Applications of microarrays to renal transplantation: progress and possibilities. Chua MS, Mansfield E, Sarwal M. Front Biosci. 2003; 8 s913-23
A typology of non-adherence in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Shaw RJ, Palmer L, Blasey C, Sarwal M. Pediatr Transplant. 2003; 7 (6): 489-93
Molecular heterogeneity in acute renal allograft rejection identified by DNA microarray profiling. Sarwal M, Chua MS, Kambham N, Hsieh SC, Satterwhite T, Masek M, Salvatierra O. N Engl J Med. 2003; 349 (2): 125-38
Microarrays: new tools for transplantation research. Chua MS, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Nephrol. 2003; 18 (4): 319-27
Increased expression of cytotoxic effector molecules: different interpretations for steroid-based and steroid-free immunosuppression. Satterwhite T, Chua MS, Hsieh SC, Chang S, Scandling J, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Transplant. 2003; 7 (1): 53-8
Molecular profiling of anemia in acute renal allograft rejection using DNA microarrays. Chua MS, Barry C, Chen X, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Am J Transplant. 2003; 3 (1): 17-22
Safety and risk stratification of percutaneous biopsies of adult-sized renal allografts in infant and older pediatric recipients. Vidhun J, Masciandro J, Varich L, Salvatierra O, Sarwal M. Transplantation. 2003; 76 (3): 552-7
Limited surgical interventions in children with posterior urethral valves can lead to better outcomes following renal transplantation. Bartsch L, Sarwal M, Orlandi P, Yorgin PD, Salvatierra O. Pediatr Transplant. 2002; 6 (5): 400-5
Unexpectedly high prevalence of posttransplant anemia in pediatric and young adult renal transplant recipients. Yorgin PD, Belson A, Sanchez J, Al Uzri AY, Sarwal M, Bloch DA, Oehlert J, Salvatierra O, Alexander SR. Am J Kidney Dis. 2002; 40 (6): 1306-18
Rational drug design: making drugs that make a difference. Häyry P, du Toit D, Sarwal M, Aavik E, Hoffrén A, Vamvakopoulos J. Transplant Proc. 2002; 34 (6): 2000-2
Genomic analysis of renal allograft dysfunction using cDNA microarrays. Sarwal M, Chang S, Barry C, Chen X, Alizadeh A, Salvatierra O, Brown P. Transplant Proc. 2001 Feb-Mar; 33 (1-2): 297-8
Promising early outcomes with a novel, complete steroid avoidance immunosuppression protocol in pediatric renal transplantation. Sarwal MM, Yorgin PD, Alexander S, Millan MT, Belson A, Belanger N, Granucci L, Major C, Costaglio C, Sanchez J, Orlandi P, Salvatierra O. Transplantation. 2001; 72 (1): 13-21
Visual loss caused by pseudotumor cerebri in an infant on peritoneal dialysis. Belson A, Alcorn DM, Yorgin PD, Fisher PG, Sarwal M. Pediatr Nephrol. 2001; 16 (3): 216-8
Granulysin expression is a marker for acute rejection and steroid resistance in human renal transplantation. Sarwal MM, Jani A, Chang S, Huie P, Wang Z, Salvatierra O, Clayberger C, Sibley R, Krensky AM, Pavlakis M. Hum Immunol. 2001; 62 (1): 21-31
Renal perfusion in infant recipients of adult-sized kidneys is a critical risk factor. Salvatierra O, Sarwal M. Transplantation. 2000; 70 (3): 412-3
A 100% 2-year graft survival can be attained in high-risk 15-kg or smaller infant recipients of kidney allografts. Millan MT, Sarwal MM, Lemley KV, Yorgin P, Orlandi P, So S, Alexander S, Salvatierra O. Arch Surg. 2000; 135 (9): 1063-8; discussion 1068-9
Sodium ferric gluconate therapy in renal transplant and renal failure patients. Yorgin PD, Belson A, Sarwal M, Alexander SR. Pediatr Nephrol. 2000; 15 (3-4): 171-5
Adult-size kidneys without acute tubular necrosis provide exceedingly superior long-term graft outcomes for infants and small children: a single center and UNOS analysis. United Network for Organ Sharing. Sarwal MM, Cecka JM, Millan MT, Salvatierra O. Transplantation. 2000; 70 (12): 1728-36
Pulmonary capillary leak syndrome with intravenous cyclosporin A in pediatric renal transplantation. Mackie FE, Umetsu D, Salvatierra O, Sarwal MM. Pediatr Transplant. 2000; 4 (1): 35-8
Transplantation of adult-sized kidneys into infants induces major blood flow changes. Salvatierra O, Singh T, Shifrin R, Conley S, Alexander S, Tanney D, Lemley K, Sarwal M, Mackie F, Alfrey E, Orlandi P, Zarins C, Herfkens R. Transplant Proc. 1999 Feb-Mar; 31 (1-2): 236-7
A new, unique and simple method for ureteral implantation in kidney recipients with small, defunctionalized bladders. Salvatierra O, Sarwal M, Alexander S, Lemley KV, Yorgin P, Al-Uzri A, Lu A, Millan M, Alfrey E. Transplantation. 1999; 68 (6): 731-8
Successful transplantation of adult-sized kidneys into infants requires maintenance of high aortic blood flow. Salvatierra O, Singh T, Shifrin R, Conley S, Alexander S, Tanney D, Lemley K, Sarwal M, Mackie F, Alfrey E, Orlandi P, Zarins C, Herfkens R. Transplantation. 1998; 66 (7): 819-23
G protein alpha subunit multigene family in the Japanese puffer fish Fugu rubripes: PCR from a compact vertebrate genome. Sarwal MM, Sontag JM, Hoang L, Brenner S, Wilkie TM. Genome Res. 1996; 6 (12): 1207-15