ASTS 2022
New Dates! 8/4 - 8/7/2022
Miami
What role can novel biomarkers, including dd-cfDNA and gene expression, play in improving the long-term outcomes of post-transplant patients? This session will explore the clinical use of molecular markers to detect incipient rejection, inform immunosuppression reduction, and address opportunistic infections.
Session 1: Integrating Molecular Markers of Transplant Rejection into Clinical Practice – The New Frontier
Michael Abecassis, MD, MBA
Dean, University of Arizona College of Medicine
Combining donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) and gene expression offers clinically-actionable diagnostics, essentially replacing protocol surveillance biopsies with non-invasive assays to detect kidney rejection and inform immunosuppression reduction in liver transplant recipients.
Session 2: Combined dd-cfDNA Quantification and Metagenomic Viral Detection
Steve Kleiboeker, Ph. D.
Chief Scientific Officer, Eurofins Clinical Diagnostics
Whole-genome sequencing for donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) allows simultaneous quantification of % dd-cfDNA and detection of viral DNA sequences from the same sample. The sensitivity and comprehensiveness of this combined method provides the potential to improve patient care.