History of the Banff classification of allograft pathology as it approaches its 20th year

To revisit the history and main defining characteristics of the Banff classification.

From small beginnings in 1991 the Banff classification of renal allograft pathology has grown to be the major standard setting force in renal transplant pathology and in international clinical trials of new antirejection agents. The meeting and classification has unique history, consensus generation mechanisms, funding, and tradition, and looks poised to continue for at least another 20 years. The Banff meetings also deal with setting standards for most other areas of solid organ transplantation and increasingly incorporate training courses and working groups so the activity never stops.

The Banff meeting has gone from being just another meeting to becoming the embodiment of the global standard, The Banff Classification, by which we determine the presence of rejection and other important disease conditions in the transplanted organ. It is crucial for patient care and crucial for clinical trials of new therapies that it remains updated and modern, an important dynamic yardstick against which we measure clinical success.