Assessment of platelet concentrate quality
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The evaluation of novel platelet concentrate quality tests and their ability to predict response to platelet transfusion
IRAS ID
131997
Contact name
Nicola Dewland
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Platelets are blood cells that help stop and prevent bleeding. A patient’s platelet levels may be pathologically reduced due to inherited or, more commonly, acquired factors. Acquired factors include immune conditions, blood diseases such as leukaemia and chemotherapy. Patients with reduced platelet numbers may be transfused with donor platelets.
Platelet concentrates for transfusion have a shelf life of 7 days following collection and the functionality of the platelets deteriorates with age. The quality of platelets is also thought to vary between different donations. However, there is currently no easily applicable laboratory method for measuring the quality of platelet concentrates. This makes it difficult to determine the true platelet lifespan, identify sub-standard concentrates or validate potential improvements to platelet processing or storage.
This project aims to assess potential methods for assessing platelet quality in vitro. The ThromboLUX analyser measures the pattern of laser light scattered by platelets and platelet derived particles to determine their size when exposed to different temperature conditions. The results are used to calculate a quality score. A variety of tests that are routinely used for measurement of platelet function in diagnostic samples or platelet concentrates are also available for assessment and use as reference methods.
The proposed study aims to compare in vitro test results to transfusion efficacy in a population of Myelodysplasia patients receiving transfusions at the Haematology Day Clinic. Tests will be carried out on the residual platelet concentrate left in the transfusion giving set after the transfusion has been completed. The clinical efficacy of platelet transfusion will be determined by measuring the increase in patient platelet count between pre and post transfusion samples and by looking for changes in reported clinical bleeding. Self assessment bleeding questionaires, patient notes and laboratory records will be examined to determine clinical bleeding status.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0155
Date of REC Opinion
1 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion