Demonstration of genetic blood group transition in patients undergoing ABO-mismatched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation by peripheral blood quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting the ABO locus – Full Study

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is a potentially curative therapy for blood cancers. In complex circumstances, donor and recipient blood groups are mismatched (e.g. blood type A donor to type B patient). In these cases, post transplant, the patient’s blood group may be unresolvable by conventional testing. Thus, transfusions during the post-transplant period often necessitates the use of precious group O blood. Genetic testing for blood group identification is expanding in transfusion practice; we sequenced the ABO locus on a pilot cohort of 10 patients (funded by the BEAP grant) and demonstrated that the switch to donor blood group occurred by day 30 in all patients. The current study now seeks to expand the cohort with an additional 30 patients, capture earlier time points, and investigate the precise time of blood group switching using routine and genetics testing in a serial manner. In addition, we plan to examine whether switching to group specific (donor) blood at earlier timepoints
would reduce the unnecessary excess uses of group O blood products and reduce potentially harmful exposures of patients to out of group red blood cells.

MCGINNIS, ERIC

Vancouver General Hospital

Blood Efficiency Accelerator Program

British Columbia

$30,000