Researchers at the RMH and WEHI are leveraging WEHI’s advanced automation and mass spectrometry technology to analyse and compare thousands of urine samples to kidney biopsy results to determine what proteins are early markers of the different types of kidney rejection in recipient patients.
If successful, in future researchers may be able to pinpoint the point the timing and type of kidney rejection without needing to perform invasive kidney biopsies.
Lead author of the study, the RMH and WEHI’s Research Fellow Dr Stephanie Kuo, said the project wouldn’t be possible without WEHI’s National Drug Development Centre (NDDC) and Colonial Foundation Healthy Ageing Centre, which houses the automation and mass spectrometry technology and expertise, respectively.
“Classical urine tests in the laboratory can only detect less than ten types of proteins whereas mass spectrometry equipment can test for up to 2000 proteins,” Dr Kuo said.
“The equipment allows us to analyse specific proteins to determine what causes the rejection, if any, and to allow us to change treatment course without having to perform a biopsy,”
“This study is a great example of a clinical need partnering with sophisticated technology to improve patient care and outcomes.”
Lead Supervisor of Dr Kuo’s study, the RMH Nephrologist and Director of the Australian Paired Kidney Exchange Program Associate Professor Peter Hughes, said the study is important for patients, who may need to travel long distances to receive their regular post-transplant biopsy.
“Kidney biopsies carry some risks and have to be performed at the hospital where patients then need to wait for four to five hours afterwards,” Associate Professor Hughes said.
“They cause stress and anxiety for patients, and are inconvenient, particularly for those who may have to travel from regional and remote areas to access.
“The potential of a urine test to bypass the need for a biopsy is an exciting prospect for us who work in the clinical space.”
WEHI Laboratory Head and study Co-Supervisor Professor Andrew Webb said the study is a great example of modern technology and clinical need coming together to solve a problem to advance patient care.
“The collaboration between WEHI and the RMH on this project combines innovation, expertise and clinician knowledge to improve patient outcomes – something that both clinicians and researchers strive for every day.”
