Roche launches immunosuppressive therapy monitoring tests

Roche has announced the launch of two highly sensitive drug monitoring tests for assessing transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

The new Elecsys Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine tests provide healthcare professionals with an accurate and reliable means of measuring levels of the common immunosuppressants tacrolimus and cyclosporine.

Made for use on Roche's cobas modular analysers, they support enhanced workflow and efficiency in medical laboratories and can play a key role in maintaining the long-term wellbeing of transplant recipients.

Immunosuppressants must be taken continuously by transplant patients to prevent tissue rejection and can fail to be effective if the dosage is too low, while an excessive dose will cause severe side effects.

Roland Diggelmann, head of Roche Diagnostics, said: "The launch of the new products marks another milestone in the expansion for Roche's test portfolio for transplantation. These highly sensitive tests provide healthcare professionals precise and consistent test results for effective treatment regime."

This follows on from the company's recent introduction of Elecsys ProGRP, a test that distinguishes between the two main types of lung cancer.