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Initial Experience with TrugrafTm Gene Expression Profile and TracTm Dd-cfdna Testing in Kidney Transplant Recipients Suggests Synergy and Enhanced Management within the First Year Post-transplant and Beyond

V. Paramasivam, B. Greco, M. Germain

Nephrology, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 659

Keywords: Gene expression, Kidney transplantation, Rejection, Screening

Topic: Clinical Science » Biomarkers, Immune Assessment and Clinical Outcomes

Session Information

Session Name: Biomarkers, Immune Assessment and Clinical Outcomes

Session Type: Poster Abstract

Session Date & Time: None. Available on demand.

Location: Virtual

*Purpose: Non-invasive validated rejection biomarkers are now available to monitor kidney transplant patients (KTRs). Two such biomarkers are; TruGrafTM (TG) gene expression profile validated to rule out subclinical acute rejection(subAR) and TRACTM (donor derived cell free DNA ) as a marker of allograft injury in KTRs. The purpose of this study is to describe the initial single center experience of TruGraf GEP and TRAC dd-cfDNA surveillance for KTR within the first year post-txp and greater than one year post-txp. Our program has done 3 and 12 month protocol biopsies for many years. We have now replaced biopsies with biomarker surveillance.

*Methods: TG and TRAC was done in all KTRs at 3 and 12 months post-txp. Additionally, all patients being followed by this nephrology group (total n=170) are to be tested once post-txp to determine baseline status (immune quiescence). A positive TG and/or TRAC prompted further evaluation including focused lab review. Biopsies were done only in cases where there was equipoise. Donor specific antibodies (DSA) were done in all patients.

*Results: To date, 55 KTRs have been surveilled with TG and/or TRAC; total of 72 TG and 47 TRAC. 9 of 10 new transplants were spared 3 month biopsies, the one biopsy was for DGF; was normal and had a negative TG. An additional 14 were tested one year post tx and 11 of them avoided one year protocol biopsy. A total of 31 patients were tested at > one year post tx. Overall, a total of 2 episodes of subAR were identified. Table 1 and Table 2 showsresults of TG and TRAC testing in lieu of 3 month and 1 year protocol biopsy. Table 3 shows testing concordance. 49% (23/47) confirmed in immune quiescence (rule out subAR) with no allograft injury (GEP negative, dd-cfDNA negative). 5% had positive GEP and dd-cfDNA prompting biopsy and diagnosis (DX) and/or treatment of subAR. The remaining 46% had either GEP or dd-cfDNA positive, prompting further clinical evaluation and correlation with other findings such as DSA, proteinuria, and renal function.

*Conclusions: Non-invasive TruGraf GEP surveillance with synergy from TRAC dd-cfDNA ruling out allograft injury spared unnecessary protocol biopsies in KTR at 3 months and provided enhanced surveillance at 12 months and further post-txp, assuring adequacy of immunosuppression and ruling out subAR. Combined TruGraf GEP and TRAC dd-cfDNA is promising, warranting larger studies to determine the optimal synergy with serial testing, especially beyond the first year post-txp where KTR continue to be at risk for subAR

Concordance between TG and TRAC in all tests
KTRs with both GEP/dd-cfDNA (n=47) TruGraf GEP negative (TX) TruGraf GEP positive (not-TX)
TRAC dd-cfDNA negative 23 11
TRAC dd-cfDNA positive 11 2
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To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Paramasivam V, Greco B, Germain M. Initial Experience with TrugrafTm Gene Expression Profile and TracTm Dd-cfdna Testing in Kidney Transplant Recipients Suggests Synergy and Enhanced Management within the First Year Post-transplant and Beyond [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/initial-experience-with-trugraftm-gene-expression-profile-and-tractm-dd-cfdna-testing-in-kidney-transplant-recipients-suggests-synergy-and-enhanced-management-within-the-first-year-post-transplant-and/. Accessed May 16, 2025.

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