Three Independent Studies Include the ImmuKnow(R) Assay to Manage and Optimize Immunosuppression Therapy in Transplan...( The results of these studies will be ...),Health

The results of these studies will be presented during the American Transplant Congress in Boston, MA May 30 - June 3, 2009

COLUMBIA, Md., May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- A study conducted at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY examined liver transplant recipients to determine whether the use of the ImmuKnow assay to guide immunosuppression therapy would reduce drug toxicity and drug-related adverse events.

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According to Dr. Patricia Sheiner, the lead investigator in this study, "Using ImmuKnow in liver transplant recipients may help minimize renal injury by providing a more individually-adjusted immunosuppression therapy." Dr. Sheiner added that, "ImmuKnow may lead to improved immunosuppression therapy management that benefits transplant patients by reducing adverse effects." In 20 patients, clinical decision-making during the management of immunosuppression therapy was based on ImmuKnow assay levels. In 32 other patients, changes in immunosuppression therapy were based on immunosuppressive drug levels. Although it did not reach statistical significance, the use of the ImmuKnow assay resulted in substantially lower mean serum creatinine levels at 5 months.

In a study to determine whether ImmuKnow can guide adjustment of immunosuppressive medications to lower risks of infection and/or graft loss, Dr. Abubakr A. Imam and co-investigators at the Akron Children's Hospital in Ohio conducted a retrospective study to assess the role of the ImmuKnow assay in viral surveillance and immune function monitoring in 35 pediatric renal transplant patients.

"Among the 5 patients who became positive for EBV or BK virus," explained Dr. Imam, "each event
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