title: Protocol biopsies in renal transplantation: insights into patient management and pathogenesis.
abstract: A 1-day symposium on the application of protocol biopsies in renal transplantation was held in Boston, 21 July 2006. Representatives from centers with extensive experience in the use of protocol biopsies for routine patient care and research reported results on the pathological findings and their value in patient management. The consensus was that protocol biopsies, in experienced hands, are a safe and valuable means of detecting subclinical disease that can benefit from modification of therapy. Furthermore, molecular studies reveal evidence of activity or progression not readily appreciated by histological techniques. Wider application is expected in multicenter clinical trials to predict and validate outcomes. The principal barrier to wider use of protocol biopsies is knowledge of the benefits of intervention.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mengel
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Cosio
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Cavaillé-Coll
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haller
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Halloran
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mihatsch
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Nankivell
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Racusen
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Serón
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Stegall
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Colvin
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers