Measuring the survival of transfused red blood cells in patients with Sickle cell disease and b-Thalassemia: A Biotin Label approach

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are currently one of the most important
therapeutic options for patients with sickle cell disease and *-thalassemia.
Over the last years many research has been conducted to improve transfusion
safety, especially focussing on antigen matching to prevent alloimmunization.
However, the fate of transfused RBC in these patients is largely unknown. Until
now it has been difficult to track RBCs once transfused. A recently developed
method (biotinylation of RBC units) allows a robust analysis of survival and
clearance of the transfused RBCs. Insight in these phenomena may help to
elucidate individual variation of RBC survival and behaviour in these patients.

To assess what the survival of transfused red blood cells (RBC) is in patients
with sickle cell disease and *-thalassemia.

Single center observational pilot cohort study

Survival of allogeneic transfused RBCs in patients with sickle cell disease and
*-thalassemia has previously not been assessed. Therefore a study in these two
populations is essential. Patients receive biotinylated erythrocytes,
biotinylation of RBCs is considered safe. Participation in this study has no
direct benefit, while risk of participation related to the intervention is
unaltered, as patients would have received a RBC transfusion anyway. Risk of
participation related to analytic methods is considered to be very small, as it
will only consist of a three additional blood drawings. All other blood samples
will be collected in addition to clinical care.