Clinical Research Directory

Extended Validation of Donor-derived Cell-free DNA in Kidney Transplant Recipients

This is a multinational, multi-center, observational cohort study. Kidney allograft rejection is poorly detected by standard-of-care biomarkers. Although dd-cfDNA has been associated with improved rejection detection when added to standard-of-care biomarkers and clinical parameters, little is known about its performance across Banff 2022 rejection phenotypes and injury patterns, in various clinical scenarios and populations, and when measured repeatedly over time.

Molecular Transcriptomics in Diagnosing Pediatric Kidney Transplant Rejection: the PANDA-Kids-ATLAS Study

Children with kidney failure have markedly increased mortality and face repeated transplantation over their lifetime due to limited allograft half-life (12-15 years). Current biopsy-based diagnoses of rejection (using Banff 2022 criteria) suffer from variability and limited sensitivity. PANDA-Kids-ATLAS will analyze up to 600 pediatric FFPE kidney biopsies across multiple centres using the Banff Human Organ Transplant (B-HOT) NanoString panel to develop and validate molecular classifiers of AMR, TCMR and related phenotypes. A secure REDCap database will integrate molecular, pathological and clinical data, aiming to improve early detection, personalize therapy, and enhance long-term graft survival and patient quality of life.

Molecular Landscape of Microvascular Inflammation in Kidney Allografts

Microvascular inflammation in kidney allografts has been widely reappraised in the recent update of Banff classification. There is a critical need to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the various phenotypes of microvascular inflammation that are observed in kidney transplants, particularly in order to develop targeted therapeutic approaches.

PLATO - Medication Adherence in Transplant Recipients

Non-adherence with immunosuppressant drugs is a major reason for premature kidney transplant failure. Currently, patient education and compliance aids (e.g bubble packing) are commonly used to assist patients. This is a study involving patients expected to undergo a kidney transplant within 6 months. One group will undergo a one-month formal assessment of adherence before transplantation using mock immunosuppressant medication. Standardized surveys will also be administered to assess risk factors for non-adherence. A plan will be developed for use after the transplant. The other group will undergo usual care. Kidney function and rejection rates will be compared between two groups.