Benzinga | Nov 6, 2020 07:21AM EST

CareDx Highlights Publication Of AlloSure Research In 'Transplantation Direct' Journal

Research from Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, and Cedars Sinai Shows AlloSure May Signal BK Virus Progression in Transplant Patients



SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CareDx, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNA), a leading precision medicine company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of clinically differentiated, high-value healthcare solutions for transplant patients and caregivers, announces today that the journal Transplantation Direct published Donor-derived cell-free DNA and the Prediction of BK virus-associated Nephropathy, showing AlloSure may be a useful non-invasive test to assess progression of BK virus.

BK virus (BKV) is a common viral infection in transplant patients that can lead to BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN). This study examined data from the Diagnosing Acute Rejection in Kidney Transplant Recipients (DART) study to evaluate if AlloSure can distinguish asymptomatic BKV from BKVAN. Study findings support the utility of AlloSure as a surrogate for predicting progression from BKV to BKVAN.

"Diagnosis of BKVAN relies on kidney biopsy, which has considerable limitations and subsequent discordance rates around 30%," said lead investigator, Sam Kant, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "The findings in our publication may lead to improved care for transplant patients who are at risk of progressing to BKVAN."

"We are pleased that the study findings show that AlloSure is further validated to not only provide an accurate assessment of allograft rejection, but also potentially identify BK nephropathy in transplant patients," said Sham Dholakia, MD, Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs & Clinical Operations at CareDx. "Our goal is to continue expanding the base of knowledge on AlloSure that can lead to better outcomes for transplant patients."