Roche announced the global launch
(except US) of two new highly sensitive therapeutic drug monitoring
tests for the immunosuppressant medicines tacrolimus and cyclosporine.
The new Elecsys Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine tests provide healthcare
professionals with more accurate and reliable results. They are made for
use on Roche’s cobas modular analysers, thus also supporting enhanced
workflow and efficiency in medical laboratories.
“Therapeutic monitoring of immunosuppressive drugs is a key part of transplant medicine and essential for the long-term well-being of patients who have undergone organ transplantation,” said Roland Diggelmann, Head of Roche Diagnostics. ”The launch of the new products marks another milestone in the expansion for Roche’s test portfolio for transplantation. These highly sensitive tests provide healthcare professionals precise and consistent test results for effective treatment regime.”
Immunosuppressants must be taken continuously by recipients of organ
transplants to prevent transplant rejection. As these medicines do not
have the desired effect if the dose is too low, while excessive doses
can cause severe side effects, it is important to monitor their
concentrations in patients’ blood precisely.
Successful transplantation is performed routinely for a wide range of
organs. However, the permanent risk that the recipient’s immune system
may reject the new organ makes transplantation one of the most
challenging and complex areas of medicine. Tacrolimus and cyclosporine
are two medicines that are widely used to help prevent transplant
rejection.
About Roche Diagnostics in transplantation
In the field of transplant medicine Roche offers healthcare
professionals a broad portfolio of diagnostic tests. These include
serology tests to ensure the safety of organ and blood donations from
transmitted infection, monitor organ function, and help monitor
patients’ health in the immediate post-transplant recovery period and
during long-term follow-up.
Source: Roche