Cypel M, Feld JJ, Galasso M, et al. - By performing this single centre, prospective, open-label, non-randomised trial, researchers evaluated the safety as well as the efficacy of lung transplantation in humans from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donors to HCV-negative recipients following application of ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) plus ultraviolet C (UVC) perfusate irradiation. At Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network (Toronto, ON, Canada), HCV-negative recipients received lungs from HCV-viraemic donors (HCV-positive) during transplantation. Donors who tested positive for hepatitis B virus, HIV, human T-lymphotropic virus 1 or 2 were dismissed. Recipients did not have significant liver disease (stage 2 fibrosis or higher were excluded) or active HCV infection and were on the lung transplant waiting list. Findings revealed no significant difference between patients receiving viraemic HCV donor lungs and HCV-negative donor lungs in terms of early and intermediate clinical outcomes. A significant reduction in HCV viral loads within the first 7 days post-transplantation was observed in relation to donor organ treatment with UVC perfusate irradiation during EVLP, and this shows the proof-of-concept for a new strategy of reducing viral load ex vivo prior to transplantation, with the purpose of preventing donor–recipient transmission.