CareDx Inc. has reportedly announced that its non-invasive solutions for organ transplant surveillance are being used to monitor the first successful heart xenotransplantation of the world.
A genetically modified heart of a pig was successfully transplanted into a patient admitted at the University of Maryland Medical Center in January 2022.
Surgeons from the UMSOM (University of Maryland School of Medicine) are using adapted variants of two non-invasive, complementary multimodal evaluations of organ graft health. Profiling of gene expression is being utilized to evaluate immune quiescence and dd-cfDNA (donor-derived cell-free DNA) to detect the injury of graft.
According to the President and CEO of CareDx Reg Seeto, it is a crucial moment in the field of transplantation and the company finds it rewarding to implement its years of dedication and experience to the transplant community by offering the first biomarker surveillance solution in the world for xenotransplantation.
CareDx is committed to navigating innovation in the field of transplantation. AlloMap® Heart blood test was the first non-invasive procedure to examine immune quiescence in patients needing a heart transplant. On the other hand, AlloSure® was the first donor-derived cell-free DNA to examine organ rejection in patients needing kidney and heart transplants.
The California-based company has served more than 80,000 patients with its AlloMap and AlloSure for their care post-transplantation. CareDx products are being used by more than 70% of the nation’s kidney transplant centers, over 90 percent of heart transplant centers, and nearly 40% of lung transplant centers to examine the organ health of patients.
It has been observed that there is a dearth of organs in the United States. While most Americans vouch for organ donation, only 58% are registered organ donors. With over 100,000 Americans on the transplant waiting list nationwide, there is a greater necessity for more donors. Xenotransplantation might offer an alternative for people needing a life-saving organ.
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