September marks a significant month in raising awareness for leukemia and lymphoma, two types of blood cancers that affect thousands of individuals worldwide. Eurofins Viracor proudly joins the cause during Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month, emphasizing the crucial role of transplant testing in improving outcomes for patients undergoing bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. In this post, we will explore the importance of transplant testing and how Eurofins Viracor is at the forefront, offering cutting-edge diagnostic solutions to support healthcare providers in their fight against these blood cancers.

Advancing Transplant Outcomes through Comprehensive Testing:

Bone marrow and stem cell transplantation have revolutionized the treatment landscape for leukemia and lymphoma patients. However, the success of these procedures hinges on meticulous pre- and post-transplant testing. Eurofins Viracor provides healthcare teams with a comprehensive range of transplant testing services, empowering them to make informed decisions and optimize patient outcomes.

1. Pre-Transplant Testing:
   Pre-transplant testing plays a critical role in assessing the compatibility of donors and recipients for bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. Eurofins Viracor along with Eurofins Donor & Product Testing and Eurofins CellTX offers advanced testing panels, including HLA typing, ExPeCT CAR T, and immune cell profiling, to ensure the best possible match. These tests enable healthcare providers to minimize the risk of graft rejection and maximize the chances of a successful transplant.
2. Infectious Disease Testing:
   Post-transplant, patients are susceptible to infections due to weakened immune systems. Eurofins Viracor's state-of-the-art infectious disease testing provides early detection and monitoring of viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens, reducing the risk of complications, and improving patient outcomes. Our comprehensive panels include tests for common pathogens, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), enabling timely intervention and personalized treatment plans. Learn more at inSIGHT T Cell Diagnostics.
3. Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) Monitoring:
   GVHD is a significant concern following bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. Our cutting-edge testing solutions aid in the early detection and monitoring of GVHD, post transplant. By promptly identifying GVHD, healthcare providers can implement targeted therapies, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Drs. James Ferrara and John Levine developed a proprietary, licensed aGVHD Algorithm testing utilizing pioneering proteomic techniques developed in a Program Project (P01) grant from the National Cancer Institute – Cellular and Molecular Studies of Bone Marrow Transplants in 1997.  Reducing the effects of graft versus host disease (GVHD) through the development of laboratory strategies, as a means to predict the long-term outcomes in patients who have had an allogeneic stem cell transplant was the primary goal. 

The Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium (MAGIC), established in 2014, comprised of ~25 International bone marrow transplant centers that conducted clinical trials utilizing identified and validated biomarkers for skin, gut and steroid resistant GVHD in the design of the MAGIC Algorithm.  Initially developed to predict GVHD prior to symptomatic onset of GVHD, the algorithm has expanded to encompass:

• Pre-Symptomatic testing Using the pre-symptomatic algorithm with a blood sample taken approximately 7 days after transplant, physicians can identify a patient at high risk for severe aGVHD and Non-Relapse Mortality (NRM), when the patient is not actively displaying symptoms, and therapy can potentially be adjusted to mitigate identified risks (Assay #403571).
• Symptomatic Onset utilizes the symptomatic onset algorithm. Results predict the pathology of some of the most severe forms of aGVHD — for example, presentation in the gastrointestinal tract — before disease progression becomes serious (Assay #403572).
• Post-Treatment Algorithm allows healthcare providers to identify high-risk patients for treatment resistance with increased odds of NRM (Assay #403573).

The MAGIC Algorithm Probability (MAP) has been validated as a response biomarker for the treatment of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease (aGVHD).  Through the use of two serum biomarkers, which specifically measure the damage to crypts in the gastrointestinal tract during GVHD, the MAP predicts long-term outcomes more accurately than changes in clinical symptomology. The Eurofins Viracor aGVHD Pre-Symptomatic, Symptomatic Onset, and Post-Treatment Algorithms report on ST2 and Regenerating Islet-derived 3-alpha (REG3α) biomarkers which have been optimized for use with the MAGIC Algorithm. 

As we observe Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month this September, Eurofins Viracor reaffirms its commitment to delivering accurate and reliable transplant testing services to healthcare providers and their patients. Combined with an unwavering commitment to quality, cutting-edge technologies, and extensive expertise, we strive to improve patient outcomes in the fight against blood cancers. Our comprehensive range of pre-and post-transplant testing services empowers healthcare providers with crucial information, enabling them to make informed decisions, enhance patient care, and increase the chances of success. Together, let us continue to raise awareness about the importance of transplant testing and work towards improving the lives of individuals undergoing bone marrow or stem cell transplantation and achieving the best possible results.

Diagnostics for Acute Graft vs. Host Disease

aGVHD Testing