In 2005 Banff classification omitted the term chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) in favor of a more descriptive interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA). The Banff group thought that CAN was used as a specific diagnosis rather than the non-specific scarring process. The clinicians would be satisfied with the allograft biopsies labelled as CAN and not be looking for more specific causes such as immunosuppressive drug toxicity or viral infection. The group hoped that these causes would be identified and eventually there will be no use of the term IF/TA.
Many studies showed that IF/TA is associated with graft loss and the presence of inflammatory cells in IF/TA portended a worse prognosis. However, the quest to identify the underlying causes by histology and molecular techniques is still unfulfilled. Clinical information and serology must be used to determined these cause in addition to the biopsy.
Source: Haas M.
