Donor Derived Cell Free DNA is Elevated With Pathogens That are Risk Factors For Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction

Surveillance after lung transplantation (LT) is critical to the detection of acute cellular rejection (ACR) and prevention of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD). Therefore, we measured donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) implementing a clinical-grade, next generation targeted sequencing assay in 107 plasma samples from 38 unique LT recipients with diagnostic cohorts classified as: (1) Biopsy-confirmed or treated acute cellular rejection (ACR), (2) antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), (3) Obstructive chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), (4) allograft infection (INFXN), and (5) Stable healthy allografts (STABLE). Our principal findings: (1) dd-cfDNA level was elevated in ACR (median 0.91%; IQR: 0.39–2.07%), CLAD (2.06%; IQR: 0.57–3.67%), and an aggregated cohort of rejection encompassing allograft injury (1.06%; IQR :0.38–2.51%), compared with the STABLE cohort (0.38%; IQR: 0.23–0.87%) (p=0.02). (2) dd-cfDNA level with AMR was elevated (1.34%; IQR: 0.34–2.40%) compared to STABLE although did not reach statistical significance (p=0.07) due to limitations in sample size. (3) No difference in dd-cfDNA for allograft INFXN (0.39%; IQR: 0.18–0.67%) versus STABLE, that may relate to differences in “tissue injury” with spectrum of bronchial colonisation versus invasive infection. (4) No difference for dd-cfDNA in unilateral versus bilateral LT. (5) “Optimal Threshold” for dd-cfDNA for aggregated rejection events representing allograft injury was determined as 0.85%, with Sensitivity=55.6%, Specificity=75.8%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV)=43.3%, and Negative Predictive Value (NPV)=83.6%. Measurement of plasma dd-cfDNA may be a clinically useful tool for the assessment of lung allograft health and surveillance for “tissue injury” with a spectrum of rejection.

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Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction: Evolving Concepts and Therapies

Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1729175 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (03) ◽

pp. 392-410

Author(s):

Olawale Amubieya ◽

Allison Ramsey ◽

Ariss DerHovanessian ◽

Gregory A. Fishbein ◽

Joseph P. Lynch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Term Survival ◽

Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction ◽

Allograft Dysfunction ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Novel Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Novel Therapeutic

AbstractThe primary factor that limits long-term survival after lung transplantation is chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). CLAD also impairs quality of life and increases the costs of medical care. Our understanding of CLAD continues to evolve. Consensus definitions of CLAD and the major CLAD phenotypes were recently updated and clarified, but it remains to be seen whether the current definitions will lead to advances in management or impact care. Understanding the potential differences in pathogenesis for each CLAD phenotype may lead to novel therapeutic strategies, including precision medicine. Recognition of CLAD risk factors may lead to earlier interventions to mitigate risk, or to avoid risk factors all together, to prevent the development of CLAD. Unfortunately, currently available therapies for CLAD are usually not effective. However, novel therapeutics aimed at both prevention and treatment are currently under investigation. We provide an overview of the updates to CLAD-related terminology, clinical phenotypes and their diagnosis, natural history, pathogenesis, and potential strategies to treat and prevent CLAD.

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Fundoplication after lung transplantation in patients with systemic sclerosis–related end-stage lung disease

Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders ◽

10.1177/23971983211016210 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 239719832110162

Author(s):

Miguel M Leiva-Juárez ◽

Andreacarola Urso ◽

Joseph Costa ◽

Bryan P Stanifer ◽

Joshua R Sonett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Overall Survival ◽

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Lung Transplantation ◽

Lung Transplant ◽

Transplant Recipients ◽

Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction ◽

Allograft Dysfunction ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Lung Transplant Recipients

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration are risk factors for chronic lung allograft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients. Patients with systemic sclerosis are at an increased risk of aspiration due to esophageal dysmotility and an ineffective lower esophageal sphincter. The aim of this study is to understand the effect of fundoplication on outcomes in systemic sclerosis recipients. Methods: Between 2001 and 2019, 168 systemic sclerosis patients were referred for lung transplantation—51 (30.3%) were listed and 36 (21.4%) were transplanted. Recipients were stratified whether they underwent a fundoplication (n = 10, 27.8%) or not (n = 26, 72.2%). Freedom from chronic lung allograft dysfunction and survival were analyzed using log-rank test. Multivariable analysis for known risk factors was performed using a Cox-proportional hazards model. Results: Median time to fundoplication after transplantation was 16.4 months (interquartile range: 9.6–25.1) and all were laparoscopic (Dor 50%, Nissen 40%, Toupet 10%). There were no differences in acute rejection ⩾ A1 (26.9% vs 30%), or primary graft dysfunction grades 2–3 at 72 h (42.3% vs 40%) between groups. Recipients with fundoplication had an increased freedom from chronic lung allograft dysfunction (p = 0.035) and overall survival (p = 0.01). Fundoplication was associated with a reduced risk of mortality adjusting for other comorbidities (hazard ratio = 0.13; 95% confidence interval = 0.02–0.65; p = 0.014). Double and single lung transplant did not have different post-transplant survival. Conclusion: Fundoplication in systemic sclerosis lung transplant recipients is associated with greater freedom from chronic lung allograft dysfunction and overall survival. Screening for reflux and aspiration followed by early fundoplication may delay graft deterioration in this population.

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