Protecting Transplant Patients and Saving Lives

Posted by Sandra Hageman on Jul 26, 2018 11:09:42 AM
Sandra Hageman

protecting transplant patients

Immunity at the heart of the matter

Surgeons worldwide perform more than 100,000 solid organ transplants annually, with successful transplantation of hearts, lungs, livers and kidneys saving and changing thousands of lives. After complex surgery, the risks of infection and organ transplant rejection mean the patient’s fight for recovery starts immediately; even anti-rejection medication can lead to serious adverse effects. Eurofins’ work in immunity is helping to change patient recovery outcomes.

Adverse reactions that can hamper patient recovery are managed by understanding the exact state of a patient’s immune cell function and using that knowledge to balance the immune system. Experts at Eurofins Viracor developed ImmuKnow® assay, a test that provides a biomarker to help doctors to evaluate a patient’s existing immunity levels and to optimize treatment.

In 2015, a study published in Transplantation showed that Viracor’s assay improves outcomes in solid organ transplant patients. The study showed that not only was ImmuKnow® able to detect the level of immunity provided by cells in immunesuppressed patients, but it ultimately improved patient survival rates by helping to optimize immunesuppression. This benefit is critical when balancing the risk of organ rejection caused by insufficient suppression and the risk of infection caused by excessive suppression.

The study also showed that using ImmuKnow® in solid organ transplant patients helped decrease bacterial and fungal infections, particularly in the critical two-week post-surgery period. It also reduced immunosuppressant drug use and improved patient survival by 13% in the first year post-transplant. ImmuKnow® is cleared for use by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Eurofins Viracor has developed additional, innovative tests with fast, accurate results to help surgeons care for their transplant patients. It now works with approximately 60% of US transplant programs and has earned its leading position in the field.

Eurofins mission statement is to contribute to a safer and healthier world by providing our customers with innovative, advisory and high quality laboratory services.  Eurofins Viracor is one of 108 global laboratories specifically dedicated in the Eurofins Biopharma Services division, providing end to end analytical solutions for the industry.  Coupling their proprietary immunology expertise, with global capabilities of Eurofins Central Laboratory, Eurofins Bioanalytical, wholly owned laboratories dedicated to Pathology, Genomics, Phase 1 clinics, Discovery and Product Testing and Release, positions Eurofins as the partner of choice for full development analytical services.  Together, we can both achieve our mutual goals of providing innovative treatments to ensure the safety and health of the world.

The Science Behind

ImmuKnowImmuKnow® is an immune cell function assay that detects cell-mediated immunity in an immunosuppressed population by measuring the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis from CD4 cells following stimulation. The technology combines cell stimulation, cell selection, and quantification of metabolic markers (ATP) to measure cell-mediated immunity. Since the CD4 lymphocytes orchestrate cell-mediated immunity responses through immunoregulatory signaling, the measurement of CD4 activation reflects the degree of immune function.

Disclaimer: ImmuKnow® is FDA cleared for the following Intended Use: Detection of cell-mediated immune response in populations undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplant. Product Insert 2015. Eurofins Viracor, Inc., Lee’s Summit, MO.

Eurofins mission statement is to contribute to a safer and healthier world by providing our customers with innovative, advisory and high quality laboratory services. Eurofins Viracor is one of 108 global laboratories specifically dedicated in the Eurofins Biopharma Services division, providing end to end analytical solutions for the industry. Coupling their proprietary immunology expertise, with global capabilities of Eurofins Central Laboratory, Eurofins Bioanalytical, wholly owned laboratories dedicated to Pathology, Genomics, Phase 1 clinics, Discovery and Product Testing and Release, positions Eurofins as the partner of choice for full development analytical services. Together, we can both achieve our mutual goals of providing innovative treatments to ensure the safety and health of the world.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

PROTECTING TRANSPLANT PATIENTS AND SAVING LIVES www.who.int/transplantation/gkt/statistics/en/

Immunosuppression Modifications Based on an Immune Response Assay: Results of a Randomized, Controlled Trial. Transplantation 99 (2015, 8), 1625-32.

Kowalski RJ, Post DR, Mannon RB, et al. Assessing relative risks of infection and rejection: a meta-analysis using an immune function assay. Transplantation 82 (2006), 663-668.

Editor's Note: This is an article reprint from the Eurofins 30 Years of Scientific Innovation Brochure.

Tags: Immune Cell Function, Organ Transplants