A new study from the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) demonstrates that a donor search prognosis score can help accelerate the hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) process for patients with blood cancers and diseases. This score predicts the likelihood of finding a fully matched unrelated donor (MUD), allowing physicians to quickly pursue alternative donors when a MUD is unlikely, without compromising patient outcomes. The study found no significant difference in overall survival rates at two years post-transplant between patients who received transplants from MUDs and those who received transplants from alternative donors like mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD), haploidentical related donors, or umbilical cord blood.

The ability to rapidly identify appropriate donors, whether MUD or alternative, minimizes delays in treatment, which can negatively impact patient prognosis. By validating the effectiveness of alternative donors, this study expands access to potentially life-saving transplants for patients who may not have a matched unrelated donor available. This ultimately contributes to improving survival rates and quality of life for individuals battling these serious illnesses.

The study, a national, multicenter effort, involved 1,751 patients across 47 transplant centers. Patients were categorized based on their likelihood of finding a MUD (Very Likely, Less Likely, Very Unlikely) using the donor search prognosis score. Those deemed “Very Unlikely” to find a MUD were directed towards alternative donor sources, while “Very Likely” patients pursued MUD transplants. Statistical analysis revealed comparable overall survival rates between these two groups. Importantly, no significant differences were observed in other key clinical outcomes, including relapse, treatment-related mortality, disease-free survival, and graft-versus-host disease.

This study represents a significant advance in HCT. The validation of the donor search prognosis score empowers physicians to make informed decisions about donor selection, streamlining the transplant process and expanding access to this critical therapy. This ultimately promises improved patient outcomes and a more efficient allocation of resources within the healthcare system. The implementation of this scoring system holds the potential to transform HCT practices, offering hope to a broader range of patients in need of life-saving transplants.

Source link: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241208562106/en/New-Results-Show-Donor-Search-Prognosis-Score-Equalizes-Transplant-Outcomes-at-American-Society-of-Hematology-Annual-Meeting-2024

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Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.