New Blood Test to Reduce Liver Transplant Failures

Liver transplants are critical, life-saving procedures, but patients often face complications such as organ rejection and tissue injury, which are difficult to detect and treat in time. Unlike kidneys, which can be supported through dialysis, there is no alternative to a functioning liver, making early detection of transplant-related issues crucial. Current diagnostic approaches involve blood tests, genetic testing, costly imaging, and sometimes invasive liver biopsies. In response to this unmet need, researchers have developed a new blood-based test that can identify early signs of liver transplant complications and determine their cause from a single sample.

The breakthrough, by scientists from Georgetown University (Washington, DC, USA) and MedStar Health (Columbia, MD, USA), represents a significant step toward a minimally invasive liquid biopsy method that can monitor transplant health and detect complications early, reducing reliance on conventional, more invasive diagnostic methods. The team is also exploring commercialization avenues and expanding its use in other transplant scenarios and cancer care. The novel test works by analyzing DNA fragments circulating in the blood, which are released by dying cells. These fragments carry chemical signatures that reveal the type of cell they originated from and its tissue of origin. This allows clinicians to not only detect damage but also distinguish whether it stems from the donor organ or the patient’s own tissue. This level of specificity is not possible with current standard tests and offers doctors much clearer diagnostic guidance.

Image: Study overview using cell-free DNA methylation patterns in blood to monitor cellular damages after liver transplant (Photo courtesy of Nature Communications)

The study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrated that this technology could provide a highly detailed, non-invasive view into cellular damage post-transplant. Because it requires only a blood sample, it can be performed frequently, offering continuous monitoring without the burden of repeated biopsies or imaging studies. In addition to detecting complications early, the test may also enhance diagnostic accuracy, supporting more precise and timely interventions. Beyond liver transplants, researchers are evaluating the test’s broader applications, including monitoring for damage in other types of organ transplants and assessing treatment response in conditions like breast cancer and melanoma. The team has filed for patents and is seeking clinical partners to help bring the technology to widespread medical use.

“There’s a need for a much better and more granular understanding of what’s driving a transplant failure,” said Anton Wellstein, MD, PhD, senior author of the study. “With this technology we can draw a blood sample and pretty much get a readout of what’s going on with the whole patient.”

Related Links:
Georgetown University
MedStar Health