Biomarkers of Aging as Predictors of Kidney Transplant Function

Presently, donated organs are ranked amongst each other based on a formula for Kidney Donor Patient Index (KDPI; a variation of Donor Risk index) 8 which includes donor demographics and clinical history but no molecular markers of kidney function other than serum creatinine. Using KDPI assessment, nearly all ECD kidneys fall into the high-risk category. And while ECD kidneys are associated with higher risk of graft failure, studies note a wide variability in ECD organ quality and the associated graft survival (half-life graft survival 4.5-7.9 years), suggesting that current models of assessing organ quality are inadequate. Furthermore, prior to even being assigned a KDPI, over 37% of all kidneys and over 50% of ECD kidneys are discarded based on biopsy findings. However, recent studies called into question the reliance on procurement kidney biopsy reports in making acceptance decisions by demonstrating significant overlap in the biopsy findings between discarded and transplanted kidneys. The use of ECD kidneys is becoming more widespread and, according to a recent report, 70% adults >65yo and 50% adults between 50 and 64 yo are willing to accept an ECD kidney. Therefore, new methodology for assessment of graft viability would increase transplantation rates particularly for organs from older or expanded criteria donors, shorten patient's time on wait list (currently 45 months average 50) and improve their outcomes by taking them off dialysis sooner.

Here, we propose a new approach-using molecular age markers (collectively referred to as SenesceTest) to predict kidney graft function.