Immunodiagnostics: evaluation of functional T-cell immunocompetence in whole blood independent of circulating cell numbers.

The need for a systematic approach for immune function monitoring has becoming increasingly apparent in the past decade due to the rapid expansion of the development and use of immunomodulatory drug therapies and vaccines. While there has been a great deal of progress in the development of methodologies for evaluating and enumerating T-lymphocyte responses to infection and cancer, the translation of these assays into the clinical setting has remained seemingly elusive. This is likely due to inherent difficulties in the standardization and validation of cell-based assays.

Assessing relative risks of infection and rejection: a meta-analysis using an immune function assay.

Background: Long-term use of immunosuppressants is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. A simple whole blood assay that has U.S.

Monitoring immune function during tacrolimus tapering in small bowel transplant recipients.

Long term use of immunosuppressants impacts the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of infection and malignancy. To effectively reduce immunosuppression in a transplant recipient a tool is needed to directly monitor the level of immune function. The Cylex(R) Immune Cell Function Assay, approved by the FDA for the assessment of cell-mediated immunity, shows promise as an objective measure of a transplant recipient's immune function.