ImmuKnow™, the Cylex immune cell function assay kit, is used for the detection of cell-mediated immunity in immunosuppressed populations. The kit is useful as an adjunct to immunosuppressant drug monitoring assays of transplant recipients. The assays do not correlate with the dose of drug administered due to individual pharmacokinetic differences, and because the patient’s immunological response to these drugs may not be accurately reflected by the drug level detected in the blood.
     The overnight in vitro assay uses the plant lectin phytohemagglutinin to stimulate lymphocytes and measure increases in intracellular adenosine triphosphate following activation. Because the major immunosuppressant drugs are designed to inhibit T-cell activation, quantitative assessment of the immune system’s ability to respond to stimulation is desirable.
     ImmuKnow provides biological end-point information, which is useful in assessing the impact of immunosuppressive therapies on a patient’s immune system. With specific measurement data of the immune system’s status for organ transplant recipients, individualized therapies can be designed to better evaluate the net effect of therapeutic drug treatments and dosing reductions or increases, and to better manage treatment protocols.

Cylex Inc
(410) 964-0236; www.cylex.net