<strong>Urine Test Can Predict Kidney Transplant Rejection</strong>

By measuring three genetic molecules in urine, researchers were able to accurately diagnose acute rejection of kidney transplants weeks before symptoms and damage to the transplant occurred. The “three-gene signature” test is more specific than the current blood test to help identify rejection. It is hoped that the new test may help physicians more precisely adjust the amount of immunosuppressant drugs patients with organ transplants need to take for the rest of their lives. If the amount is too low, rejection risk is greater. If the amount is too high, the risk for infection is high.

The study was published in <i>The New England Journal of Medicine</i>. The study’s lead author was Dr. Manikkam Suthanthiran, the Stanton Griffis Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and chief of transplantation medicine, nephrology and hypertension at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Source: <a href="http://weill.cornell.edu/news/releases/wcmc/wcmc_2013/07_03_13.shtml" target="_blank">http://weill.cornell.edu/news/releases/wcmc/wcmc_2013/07_03_13.shtml</a>