Benzinga | Sep 1, 2020 09:05AM EDT

Natera Highlights Study Showing 'Clinical Utility of the Prospera Test in Nephrology Practice

Nephrologists using the Prospera donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) test were more likely to correctly diagnose rejection and take the appropriate action

SAN CARLOS, Calif., Sept. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRA), a pioneer and global leader in cell-free DNA testing, today announced the publication of a prospective, randomized controlled trial showing clinical utility of the Prospera test. The study concluded that practicing nephrologists who used the Prospera test detected more cases of rejection and made better clinical decisions than physicians in the control group. The study evaluated kidney transplant patients in typical scenarios seen by nephrologists in routine practice. The study was published in International Urology and Nephrology,1 and is available to read here.



"The Prospera test can be a vital tool in early detection and the treatment decision-making process of our patients," said Jessica Coleman, MD, Nephrologist at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. "When we evaluate patient scenarios with the Prospera test, we gain insights to help increase the chances of a successful transplant and improved outcomes."

The Prospera test's previously published clinical validation showed excellent performance in the detection of active kidney transplant rejection.2 This latest study measured the clinical practice of 154 nephrologists with and without dd-cfDNA testing. To determine whether the use of the Prospera test demonstrated overall clinical utility, 924 simulations were completed. The study, conducted by QURE Healthcare and researchers from a top academic institution, showed that those using the Prospera test to evaluate post-transplant patients were more likely to reach an early, accurate diagnosis and appropriately change their treatment compared to those using creatinine and other routine biomarkers alone.

Highlights of the study concluded:

* Use of the Prospera test led to a 300 percent increase in probability of confirming rejection via biopsy in both routine and in ambiguous clinical scenarios.

* Nephrologists using the Prospera test to identify rejection more than doubled the appropriate referrals to transplant centers and/or biopsies.

* Prospera test results yielded a 137 percent improvement in treatment decisions that preserved kidney function.

"The results of this study provide valuable insights into the Prospera test's capabilities and utility in the nephrology practice," said Paul Billings, MD, PhD, Natera's Chief Medical Officer and a co-author on the study. "Results clearly show that the use of the Prospera test demonstrated clinical utility and improved care of the emulated patients through changes in diagnosis, workup, and management after kidney transplant."