Cell-Free DNA to Distinguish High Risk Donor Specific Antibodies in Heart Transplantation

Purpose: Up to one half of heart transplant recipients develop donor-specific antibodies (DSAs), but only ~10 - 20% of these recipients develop antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Unfortunately, current clinical approaches lack sensitivity for risk stratification of high-risk DSA, and therapy is often delayed until AMR develops. This study evaluates if donor-derived cell free DNA (dd-cfDNA) can identify high-risk DSA that lead to AMR.