Are cross-matched fresh platelets better for haematology patients?

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Evaluation of the provision of fresh compatible platelets for haematology patients who have become refractory to random platelet transfusions.

  • IRAS ID

    248801

  • Contact name

    S.J. Reynolds

  • Contact email

    samantha.reynolds18@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    N/A, N/A

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 4 months, 29 days

  • Research summary

    This study will look at measuring complement as a marker of platelet destruction in the absence of detectable platelet antibodies to see if this could account for the platelet refractoriness seen in our haematology patients.
    If patients have platelet antibodies detected they will not be recruited to the study.
    Patients that are recruited to the trial will undergo retrospective cross-match of their platelet concentrates to determine whether the random donor units issued to these patients were compatible or incompatible, and what the effects of the transfusion were on the following biological parameters: platelet count, complement protein levels (C1 and C3) and IgG sensitization of platelets. These parameters will be analyzed in blood samples taken from patients at 1 and 24 hours post platelet transfusion using flow cytometry.
    The platelet donations will also be tested daily for platelet count, complement protein levels (C1 and C3) and IgG sensitization of platelets to see if the length of platelet storage could affect subsequent platelet destruction in the patient and to see what happens to these markers as the platelets are stored up to their expiry date.
    Taken together the results will provide an indication of whether immune platelet destruction is occurring in the absence of detectable antibodies due to complement activation in the pre-transfusion platelet donation or in the patient.
    This study could provide a true prospective assessment of the ability of providing cross-matched platelet units to reduce the incidence of platelet refractoriness in the haematological setting. It could also determine whether giving cross-matched fresh platelets enables a better recovery due to a possible contributory factor involved in giving platelets that are already expressing markers of complement destruction.
    This research will be conducted for approximately 12 months which would equate to at least 50 patients with multiple transfusion events.

  • REC name

    London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/LO/1748

  • Date of REC Opinion

    5 Dec 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion