Exploring the Diagnostic Potential of Cell-Free RNA in Kidney Transplant Patients

Authors: Adam Yang, Iwijn De Vlaminck

SUNY Campus: Cornell University

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 40

Timeslot: Session A 9:00-10:00 AM

Abstract: Accurate monitoring of graft health is essential after kidney transplantation for allowing early identification of complications such as immune rejection and infection, ensuring appropriate clinical management to preserve graft function and improve patient outcomes. However, traditional diagnostic methods often rely on invasive biopsies and may not fully capture real-time physiological changes. To address these challenges, we explore the diagnostic potential of cell-free RNA (cfRNA) in urine as a non-invasive biomarker for kidney transplant recipients. Longitudinal urine samples are collected from the patients and analyzed by high-throughput sequencing and computational approaches such as gene expression profiling, pathway analysis, cell type of origin analysis, metagenomic assessment, and microbiome niche scoring. Preliminary findings suggest that cfRNA signatures in urine may provide early indicators of potential post-transplant immune rejection and infection, enabling more timely and targeted management. By offering a real-time snapshot of transplant health through non-invasive liquid biopsies, cfRNA-based diagnostics demonstrate a significant promise to improve patient outcomes. Upon further validation, this approach may serve as an accessible tool for clinicians, reducing patient burden and healthcare costs. Looking ahead, cfRNA-based diagnostics can be extended into other clinical contexts, such as cancer diagnostics and infectious disease monitoring. This study underscores the broad potential of cfRNA as a versatile biomarker for clinical diagnostics with unique advantages.