University of Alberta
Demonstrate the relationship between DD-cfDNA levels and HLA antibodies in blood transplant recipient and the Molecular Microscope® (MMDx) Diagnostic System results in indication and protocol biopsies from heart transplants.
The current standard for assessment of rejection in heart transplants is an endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) interpreted by histology according to ISHLT guidelines. This has considerable error rates, many due to the high disagreement among pathologists in assessing lesions and diagnoses. To address the unmet need for precision and accuracy, the Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre (ATAGC, University of Alberta) has developed a new diagnostic system - the Molecular Microscope® Diagnostic System (MMDx), which uses microarrays to define the global gene expression features of rejection and injury…
Inclusion Criteria: * All heart transplant recipients undergoing a biopsy for clinical indications and protocol biopsies, as determined by their physician or surgeon, will be eligible to enroll in the study. * Patients are enrolled based on standard of care biopsies, including surveillance biopsies in high-risk patients, with informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients will be excluded from the study if they decline participation * Are unable to give informed consent. * Recipients of multiple organs.
Microarray test of gene expression in heart biopsies
Donor derived cell-free DNA in patient blood
Centralized measurement of HLA antibodies in patient blood