HLA-DQA1*02:32 differs from DQA1*02:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 210 in exon 4.

Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) has been widely studied as biomarker for non-invasive allograft rejection monitoring. Earlier rejection detection enables more prompt diagnosis and intervention, ultimately improving patient treatment and outcomes. This multi-centre study aims to verify analytical performance of a next-generation sequencing-based dd-cfDNA assay at end-user environments. Three independent laboratories received the same experimental design and 16 blinded samples to perform cfDNA extraction and the dd-cfDNA assay workflow. dd-cfDNA results were compared between sites and against manufacturer validation to evaluate concordance, reproducibility, repeatability and verify analytical performance. A total of 247 sample libraries were generated across 18 runs, with completion time of <24 h. A 96.0% first pass rate highlighted minimal failures. Overall observed versus expected dd-cfDNA results demonstrated good concordance and a strong positive correlation with linear least squares regression r2 = 0.9989, and high repeatability and reproducibility within and between sites, respectively (p > 0.05). Manufacturer validation established limit of blank 0.18%, limit of detection 0.23% and limit of quantification 0.23%, and results from independent sites verified those limits. Parallel analyses illustrated no significant difference (p = 0.951) between dd-cfDNA results with or without recipient genotype. The dd-cfDNA assay evaluated here has been verified as a reliable method for efficient, reproducible dd-cfDNA quantification in plasma from solid organ transplant recipients without requiring genotyping. Implementation of onsite dd-cfDNA testing at clinical laboratories could facilitate earlier detection of allograft injury, bearing great potential for patient care.

HLA-B*15:659 differs from HLA-B*15:02:01:01 by one nucleotide in exon 2.

Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has shown superior efficacy compared with conventional chemotherapy in certain cancer types, establishing immunotherapy as the fourth standard treatment alongside surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. In cancer immunotherapy employing ICIs, CD8-positive cytotoxic T lymphocytes are recognized as the primary effector cells. For effective clinical outcomes, it is essential that the targeted cancer cells express HLA class I molecules to present antigenic peptides derived from the tumor. However, cancer cells utilize various mechanisms to downregulate or lose HLA class I molecules from their surface, resulting in evasion from immune surveillance. Correlations between prognosis and the integrity of HLA class I molecules expressed by cancer cells have been consistently found across different types of cancer. This paper provides an overview of the regulatory mechanisms of HLA class I molecules and their role in cancer immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on the significance of utilizing pathological tissues to evaluate HLA class I molecules expressed in cancer cells.

The novel HLA-C*15:274 allele, first described in a potential bone marrow donor from Brazil.

Two different single nucleotide substitutions in intron 2 give rise to novel HLA-DQB1*03:02:01 alleles.

HLA-DPB1*05:01:20 differs from HLA-DPB1*05:01:01:01 by one nucleotide in exon 3.

Five novel HLA-C alleles detected by next-generation sequencing: HLA-C*02:02:73, -C*03:04:106, -C*06:382, -C*07:1114Q and -C*12:408.

HLA-DQB1*06:466 differs from HLA-DQB1*06:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 571G→A.

HLA-B*15:02:15 differs from HLA-B*15:02:01:01 by one nucleotide in exon 2.