Immune Testing for IVF – 2026 Updates from a Leading European Clinic
Immunology may have already been on your radar: it’s an increasingly important consideration in IVF, particularly for patients who haven’t found clear answers through standard fertility tests. And if that East you will know how difficult it can be not knowing where to turn next.
HAS Tambre Clinicour long-standing reference in Spain, this area of fertility care has been a priority for decades. With nearly 50 years of experience in assisted procreation, the group has built a dedicated team Reproductive Immunology Unitbringing together specialists to support more complex cases with an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach.
Spain is Europe’s largest provider of assisted reproduction and Clínica Tambre offers accessible, high-quality care within a progressive legal framework at its two clinics in Madrid And Alicante.
Dive deeper, and read on for their update 101 Guide to Immune Testing for IVFin 2026 and beyond.
Understanding immune testing for IVF
Immune or immunological testing in a fertility and IVF context refers to a group of investigations that evaluate how your immune system may interact with embryo implantation and early pregnancy development.
As Dr. Abraham Zavalagynecologist and fertility specialist at Clínica Tambre, explains:
“Successful embryo implantation requires a precise dialogue between the embryo and the maternal immune system. Rather than simply ‘tolerating’ the embryo, the uterine immune environment actively facilitates implantation through a complex interplay of immune cells, cytokines and signaling pathways.”
When this process is disrupted, implantation may not occur as expected or early pregnancy complications may occur. These disruptions can occur at different levels:
- Systemic immune factorssuch as antiphospholipid antibodies or thyroid autoimmunity
- Chronic inflammatory conditionsincluding lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- Local uterine factorsparticularly involving uterine natural killer (uNK) cells and their interaction with the embryo
Dr. Zavala highlights the growing understanding of genetic compatibility in this process:
“The interaction between killer maternal immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) on these NK cells and HLA-C molecules expressed by the embryonic trophoblast is increasingly recognized as a key determinant of implantation success.”
At the same time, it emphasizes a careful, evidence-based approach:
“It is important to note…that not every immune ‘abnormality’ detected in a laboratory test translates into a clinical problem. This is precisely why a rigorous, evidence-based approach to testing and treatment is essential.”
Who could benefit from immunological tests?
Immune testing is not recommended for all IVF patients. At Clínica Tambre, a selective approach ensures that tests are meaningful and avoids unnecessary interventions.
Patients who may benefit include:
- Those with repeated miscarriageswhere guideline-based testing (such as for antiphospholipid syndrome) is already the norm
- Those with recurring implantation failureespecially after the transfer of good quality embryos
- Patients with diagnosis autoimmune diseasesincluding Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or lupus
- Case of unexplained infertility with clinical indicators of immune involvement
Dr. Zavala explains:
“We take a selective rather than universal approach to immune testing. Not all patients undergoing IVF need immunological workup, and indiscriminate testing can lead to overdiagnosis, unnecessary anxiety and unproven treatments.”
What’s new in 2026 – advances and discoveries
Recent developments are shaping the way clinicians approach immune testing for IVF, with an increased emphasis on accuracy and clinical relevance. These include:
1. More refined compatibility testing
One of the most important updates is KIR/HLA-C compatibility testing.
“We now understand that it is not just paternal HLA-C that matters; maternal HLA-C alleles are also presented on the surface of the trophoblast… providing a more complete picture of immune compatibility at the maternal-fetal interface.” said Dr. Zavala.
These expanded tests offer a more detailed look at how the immune system may influence implantation.
2. Clearer clinical advice
The publication of formal recommendations from the American Society for Reproductive Immunology in 2025 marks a step forward:
“They emphasize the need for confirmed immune biomarkers before starting treatment, rather than empiric immunosuppression.”
This promotes a move away from general, non-specific treatments in favor of targeted, evidence-based care.
3. A Deeper Look at the Endometrial Environment
There is also growing interest in analyzing the immune environment within the uterus itself:
“There is growing interest in characterizing the endometrial immune microenvironment… Although still largely at research level, these profiles could potentially help identify patients with endometrial immune dysregulation. »
4. Data-Driven Personalization
At Clínica Tambre, immunology is increasingly integrated with other areas of fertility care:
“We believe the future of reproductive medicine lies in integration, combining immunological data with embryological, genetic and clinical information to create truly personalized treatment strategies. »
This includes the use of immune data alongside embryo selection and broader patient health indicators to guide decision-making.
Why Spain, for this type of tailor-made support?
Spain has become a truly leading destination for advanced fertility care, particularly for those of us coming from the UK.
As a hub of innovation and experience, Spain offers:
- A high volume of IVF cyclesin support of clinical expertise
- A progressive legal framework which cares for a wide range of patients
- Established international care pathways
Tambre leads the way here for his early adoption of reproductive immunology in particular. And for UK patients exploring an IVF clinic option in Spain (whether in Madrid or considering IVF clinic alternatives in Alicante), their more tailored approach to complex cases makes them a truly standout option.
Patient experience and accessibility at the forefront
For international patients, including those coming from the UK, immune tests and treatments can be integrated into a clear and manageable pathway.
At Clínica Tambre this usually includes:
- A first online consultationwhere your history is examined in detail
- A targeted testing planbased on your specific clinical profile
- Test coordination either locally or during a short visit to Spain
- A personalized treatment plandeveloped with the contribution of the Reproductive Immunology Unit
Dr. Zavala also emphasizes the importance of careful interpretation:
“When immune testing is performed, the results are interpreted in the context of the patient’s complete clinical picture… Elevated NK cell counts in isolation do not automatically warrant immunosuppressive therapy.”
What success can look like
This anonymized* case shows how targeted testing can guide treatment.
Dr. Zavala explains:
“We recently treated a 36-year-old patient who had three failed IVF transfers of good quality blastocysts… In Tambre, we performed a targeted immunological assessment… The results revealed that she had a KIR AA genotype and that her partner was HLA-C2/C2.
After custom adjustments, including thyroid optimization and a personalized transfer protocol: “On her next transfer of a single euploid blastocyst, she successfully implanted and delivered a healthy baby at term. »
This reflects the interest in using immunoassays selectively and also highlights the importance of not simply attributing every case of implantation failure to immune factors.
A Quick Look into the Future: What’s Next for Fertility Immunoassays?
Beyond 2026, several developments are expected to further shape this area, including:
- Non-invasive immune profilinglike using uterine fluid or menstrual samples for testing
- AI-powered donor matching integrating immune compatibility
- Targeted biological therapiesdesigned specifically for reproductive use
- Large-scale European data registriesimproving monitoring of evidence and results
Dr. Zavala summarizes the direction clearly. “The goal is to move reproductive immunology from an area of clinical uncertainty to an area of precision medicine…where we can accurately identify which patients have immune barriers to pregnancy and provide targeted, evidence-based interventions.”
Want to know if the tests are right for you?
If you’ve experienced repeated IVF difficulties or unexplained results, exploring immunology testing could provide a hopeful avenue.
HAS Tambre ClinicThis type of care revolves around a personalized, science-based approach, combining immunology, genetics and clinical expertise to support fertility journeys of all shapes and sizes, whether you’re looking to change clinics or return to treatment after a break.
Book your first consultation here to get the ball rolling and discuss your individual journey to date.
* A composite and anonymized clinical scenario representative of cases managed at Tambre. No individual patient data is disclosed.
The article Immune tests for IVF – 2026 Updates from a Leading European Clinic appeared first on The Ribbon Box.
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