Blood test could replace needle biopsy for liver rejection
NCT ID NCT06153641
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at whether a blood test measuring CK-18, a protein released when liver cells die, can spot organ rejection after a liver transplant. Currently, doctors use a liver biopsy, which involves inserting a needle into the body and carries risks. Researchers will collect blood samples from 70 liver transplant patients and compare CK-18 levels to standard tests, aiming to develop a safer, non-invasive way to detect rejection.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a simple blood test to detect liver transplant rejection, reducing the need for risky biopsies.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early observational study with only 70 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The test may not prove accurate enough to replace biopsies.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital & Saint Louis University Hospital (SSM Health- SLU Hospital)
St Louis, Missouri, 63104, United States
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