cross-section of kidneys with arteries and veins

Eurofins TRAC® Kidney dd-cfDNA

Eurofins TRAC® examines donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) found in a patient’s plasma to help identify solid organ transplant rejection

For the thousands of people receiving life-saving kidney transplants every year, the risk of organ rejection is a constant concern. Rejection, especially “silent” subclinical acute rejection, can be difficult to detect early without proper monitoring. Traditional methods of monitoring can be limited and often require invasive biopsies. Quantification of dd-cfDNA in a transplant recipient’s plasma has been developed to non-invasively monitor organ rejection. 

dd-cfDNA - colorful, stylized rendering

What is dd-cfDNA?

All cells shed DNA, called cell-free DNA, into the circulatory system. In organ transplant recipients, the cell-free DNA that is shed from the donated organ can be differentiated from the host DNA and quantified. Circulating cf-DNA can be released for a variety of reasons, including apoptosis, necrosis, or active secretion. In transplant recipients, increasing levels of dd-cfDNA can be associated with either antibody, or cell mediated rejection. 

Eurofins TRAC® leverages next generation sequencing (NGS) technology to determine the origin of the cell-free DNA into donor vs. host and presents results as a ratio of dd-cfDNA with host DNA. quantification of dd-cfDNA (by NGS methods) in a transplant recipient’s plasma has been developed to non-invasively monitor and diagnose organ rejection in transplant recipients.

Research has shown that donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) found in a patient’s plasma may be used as a liquid biopsy marker for identifying solid organ transplant rejection.  Donor-derived cell-free DNA is released when the donated organ is attacked by either antibody or cell-mediated rejection processes.  While the exact mechanism of action resulting in the circulating dd-cfDNA is not known, some researchers have speculated it could be produced by apoptosis, necrosis or active secretion.  Regarded as a potential universal molecular biomarker, the concept of dd-cfDNA is being applied to several different solid organ transplant recipient populations.  Not only is the method noninvasive, but the method has the ability quantify the percentage of cell-free DNA post organ transplant.

Contact

Transform Kidney Transplant Monitoring with Eurofins TRAC®

Eurofins TRAC® is intended to assess the probability of allograft rejection in transplant recipients with clinical suspicion of rejection and to inform clinical decision-making about the necessity of biopsy in such patients at least 2 weeks post-transplant in conjunction with standard clinical assessment.

Want to learn more about Eurofins TRAC® Kidney?