Using donor specific antibodies to improve diagnosis of rejection in lung transplant patients

Intérêt Diagnostique et Pronostique de la présence d'Anticorps spécifiques du Donneur Intra-greffon Dans le Rejet Humoral en Transplantation Pulmonaire

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Strasbourg, France · NCT03702257

This study is testing if checking for certain antibodies in lung transplant patients can help doctors better diagnose rejection and improve patient outcomes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Strasbourg, France Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsRituximab
Locations5 sites (Le Plessis Robinson and 4 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03702257 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the diagnostic and prognostic value of intragraft donor specific antibodies (gDSAs) in lung transplant recipients who have developed circulating donor specific antibodies (DSAs). The research aims to determine if the presence of gDSAs can serve as a reliable diagnostic tool for antibody mediated rejection (AMR) and to analyze its impact on graft outcomes. The approach involves performing bronchoscopy to assess the presence of gDSAs in patients who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are lung transplant recipients over 18 years old who have developed circulating donor specific antibodies at a specified threshold.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have donor specific antibodies or have contraindications to bronchoscopy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of antibody mediated rejection in lung transplant patients, potentially improving graft survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using gDSAs for diagnosis is innovative, similar studies have not been widely reported, indicating this may be a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:

* Patient older than 18 years
* Transplanted pulmonary or cardiopulmonary patient
* And developing circulating anti-HLA antibodies directed against the graft or "DSA" at a threshold \> 1000 of MFI in the 30 days preceding the inclusion visit
* Affiliation to the French social security
* Patient able to understand the objectives and risks related to research and to give informed, dated and signed consent

Exclusion criteria:

* Patient whose anti-HLA antibodies are not directed against the graft (no DSA)
* Contraindication to performing a bronchial fibroscopy with transbronchial biopsies
* Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (less than 1 month before inclusion) or Rituximab (less than 6 months before inclusion)
* Plasma exchanges (less than 3 months before inclusion)
* Risk of bleeding predictable (crushing disorder, impossibility of stopping the offending treatments)
* Impossibility of giving the subject informed information
* Subject under the protection of justice Subject under guardianship or curatorship
* Pregnancy
* Breastfeeding

Where this trial is running

Le Plessis Robinson and 4 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Lung Transplant RecipientDonor Specific AntibodiesAntibody Mediated Rejection
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.