Organ Rejection Information - Frequently Asked Questions

Your body’s immune system constantly works to distinguish your own cells, tissues, and organs from “foreign” invaders like bacteria and viruses. 

Unfortunately, in the case of organ transplantation, your immune system will identify your transplanted organ as a foreign entity and attack it. This can lead to damage and even failure of the new organ. To prevent this damage—known as organ rejection—you will be prescribed anti-rejection medications. These  immunosuppressive drugs lower your immune system’s natural tendency to attack foreign substances and thus work to shield your new organ from damage.

These symptoms are signs of clinical rejection, also called acute rejection. By the time your body shows these signs, damage has already been done to your kidney.
Research shows that the rejection process begins well before symptoms develop, with what we call “silent” rejection, or subclinical acute rejection (subAR). In subAR, you will likely feel normal.

Ruling out “silent” rejection is complicated, and before now required an invasive biopsy to diagnose. We now have the technology to give you confidence that you have ruled out this subclinical rejection without the expense and pain of a biopsy!

Subclinical or “silent” organ rejection is also known as subclinical acute rejection (subAR). It is a form of rejection that doesn’t show obvious signs or symptoms. It means that even though your body might not seem to be having a strong negative reaction to your new organ, your immune system is still quietly trying to destroy it. 

Genomic biomarker testing is like a special tool that helps us understand your body’s unique signals. It looks at specific genes and molecules that can give us important information about how your immune system is interacting with your new organ. This helps us catch potential problems, like rejection, early on—even if you’re not showing any obvious signs. 

By spotting issues sooner through genomic biomarker testing, your healthcare team can take action to keep your new organ healthy and make sure you stay on track towards a successful transplant journey. 

Genomic testing is generally considered to be highly reliable and accurate. It involves analyzing the genetic information within your cells to provide insights about your health. The results are based on precise scientific methods and are interpreted by skilled professionals.

The interpretation of genomic data requires specific experience and knowledge, which is why it’s typically conducted in specialized laboratories or healthcare settings.

Overall, when performed by reputable institutions and interpreted by experienced professionals, genomic testing is a powerful tool for understanding various aspects of your health, including compatibility with a transplanted organ.

Transplant Genomics is a team of passionate experts in clinical research, laboratory science, patient care, business operations, and commercial excellence who demonstrate our commitment to improving lives for transplant patients every day. Our patient-first philosophy guides everything that we do to fulfill our vision and mission:

We are committed to improving organ transplant outcomes through molecular diagnostic tests that reliably rule out early signs of transplant injury and empower providers to optimize treatments for their patients.

Transplant Genomics currently offers three tests:

• TruGraf Kidney to rule out subclinical acute kidney rejection
• TRAC Kidney to aid in the diagnosis of clinical acute kidney rejection
• TruGraf Liver to rule out subclinical acute liver rejection

Speak with your transplant team to find out which of these tests are right for you.

• A blood collection kit will be mailed to your home, or you can pick one up at your transplant center or medical office. 
• You then take the test kit to a hospital or commercial lab service near you, just as you would for all your other blood work.
• After a small sample of your blood is drawn, the kit is shipped overnight to our certified lab; the sample is analyzed; and your results are sent to your clinician for review.
• Talk with your trusted healthcare provider to find out which of our tests may be helpful in your personal transplant care.

No! If you have any reason to prefer having your blood drawn in your own home, you can take advantage of mobile phlebotomy service, where we send a trained and qualified phlebotomist to your home to perform the blood draw safely and conveniently. They send your sample to us for testing, just as if you had your blood drawn in a lab.

Transplant Genomics will run a benefits verification before any test is run, so you are always aware of any out of pocket expense.

Our Patient Financial Assistance program [link to Patient Care and Coverage] is designed to tailor solutions for uninsured or under-insured patients based on individual circumstances.

TruGraf Kidney will be reimbursed for kidney transplant recipients covered by Medicare. Transplant Genomics will confirm your out of pocket expense at any time! simply email: billing@tgi.eurofinsus.com to request a benefits verification.