About this Research Topic
Post-transplant monitoring for allograft rejection is critical for identifying and treating events that may cause graft damage and graft loss. It is especially important in cases of delayed graft function, switching or adjusting immunosuppression, monitoring rejection treatment response and checking for medical adherence. Post-transplant monitoring is a broad term that commonly includes the use of biopsies (surveillance or for cause), functional parameters (e.g. Creatinine) and, more recently, biomarkers.
The utilization of biomarkers in post-transplant monitoring for allograft rejection allows for enhanced personalized management of immunosuppression and early therapeutic intervention at the onset of graft damage. Ideally, these biomarkers would be sensitive, cost-effective and offer a non-invasive alternative to biopsies.
There are three main categories of biomarkers of post-transplant monitoring:
1) immunological markers such as donor-specific antibodies against human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and antibodies against non-HLA targets, cytokine & chemokine levels, etc.
2) donor-derived cell free DNA
3) gene expression markers measured in blood, urine or biopsy tissue.
Utilizing a variety of biomarkers may provide a more comprehensive picture and allow for better assessment and management of post-transplant patients.
The editors of this Research Topic invite members of the transplantation community to submit manuscripts on the following themes:
- Assessing the use of individual biomarkers or a combination of biomarkers for post-transplant allograft monitoring.
- Correlating biomarkers for post-transplant monitoring with transplant outcome.
- Describing current approaches to post-transplant allograft monitoring.
Original Research, Review, Opinion and Perspective articles discussing the current and future role of biomarkers in post-transplant monitoring are welcome.
The utilization of biomarkers in post-transplant monitoring for allograft rejection allows for enhanced personalized management of immunosuppression and early therapeutic intervention at the onset of graft damage. Ideally, these biomarkers would be sensitive, cost-effective and offer a non-invasive alternative to biopsies.
There are three main categories of biomarkers of post-transplant monitoring:
1) immunological markers such as donor-specific antibodies against human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and antibodies against non-HLA targets, cytokine & chemokine levels, etc.
2) donor-derived cell free DNA
3) gene expression markers measured in blood, urine or biopsy tissue.
Utilizing a variety of biomarkers may provide a more comprehensive picture and allow for better assessment and management of post-transplant patients.
The editors of this Research Topic invite members of the transplantation community to submit manuscripts on the following themes:
- Assessing the use of individual biomarkers or a combination of biomarkers for post-transplant allograft monitoring.
- Correlating biomarkers for post-transplant monitoring with transplant outcome.
- Describing current approaches to post-transplant allograft monitoring.
Original Research, Review, Opinion and Perspective articles discussing the current and future role of biomarkers in post-transplant monitoring are welcome.
Keywords: Biomarkers, Transplantation, Rejection, Monitoring, Donor-Specific Antibodies, Cell-Free DNA, Gene Expression
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
