The expanded panel adds 27 HLA-DQ antigens and heterodimer combinations to support more comprehensive antibody assessment in transplant matching and post-transplant monitoring.
Thermo Fisher Scientific has expanded its LABScreen Single Antigen ExPlex Portfolio with the introduction of LABScreen Single Antigen HLA Class II ExPlex – Group 2. The new panel extends human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ coverage to support antibody assessment in complex transplant cases.
The detection and characterization of HLA antibodies are central to assessing immunological risk in transplantation. While conventional HLA antibody testing has traditionally focused on antigen-level reactivity, clinical attention has shifted toward epitope- and eplet-based analysis to better understand alloimmune responses.
“HLA-DQ antibodies have become an area of increasing clinical focus, with growing evidence linking them to transplant rejection,” says Dave Lowe, senior director, research and development, transplant diagnostics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, in a release. “By expanding HLA-DQ coverage within an existing workflow, laboratories can support better-informed matching decisions before transplant and more comprehensive monitoring after, where earlier detection of donor-specific antibodies can make a meaningful difference for patients.”
Features and Workflow Integration
The panel adds 27 HLA-DQ antigens and heterodimer combinations to the existing 24-bead ExPlex offering, creating a 51-bead extended panel. This enables the assessment of up to 146 Class II Single Antigen Beads in a single well.
The extended panel is currently available in the European Union under the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation. It can be combined in a single well with LABScreen Single Antigen assays without requiring additional time after assay setup. According to the company, laboratories can gain expanded analytical capability without retraining staff, modifying workflows, or investing in new instrumentation.
The product is intended for histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratories, transplant laboratory directors, and clinicians who require more extensive HLA-DQ data to inform clinical decisions.
The products are CE-marked for in vitro diagnostic use in the European Union. Availability is dependent on local regulatory authorization, and the panel is not available in the United States or Canada.
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