The aim of this prospective, long-term study was to define the flow cytometric characteristics of plasma cell CD56 expression as well as determine the clinical characteristics of 204 multiple myeloma (MM) patients and 26 plasma cell leukemia (PCL) patients with regard to CD56 expression. CD56 expression intensity was determined by measurement of antigen molecules on the cell defined as Antibodies Bound per Cell (ABC) and calculation of Relative Fluorescence Intensity (RFI). CD56 expression was found in 66% of MM and 54% of PCL cases. The RFI values for individual MM patients ranged from 7.6 to 27.4 while ABC values on MM plasma cells from 2255 to 58469. There was a correlation between the proportion of all bone marrow CD38(++)/CD138(+) cells with CD56 expression and ABC and RFI indices. With regard to CD56 expression positive patients, the CD56(-) MM patients presented lower frequency of osteolysis (p = 0.01). The median survival was 48 months in CD56(+) patients and 43 months (p = 0.84) in CD56(-) cases. In conclusion, CD56 expression carries no distinct adverse prognosis and the lack of CD56 expression does not define a unique clinicopathological or prognostic entity in MM. A remarkable heterogeneity of CD56 expression intensity in CD56(+) patients imposes the necessity of determining CD56 expression intensity in candidates to antibody-based therapy.
Question 4Cryopreserved platelets are currently stored at -65 to -90°C (-80°C) in a mechanical freezer. A frozen shelf life of 2 years has been applied for platelets for the CLIP trial and for the Australian Defence Force. We have allocated a post-thaw shelf life of 6 h for platelets for the Australian Defence Force to minimize risk of bacterial growth. This is
BACKGROUND
Transfusion of group O blood to non‐O recipients, or transfusion of D– blood to D+ recipients, can result in shortages of group O or D– blood, respectively. This study investigated RBC utilization patterns at hospitals around the world and explored the context and policies that guide ABO blood group and D type selection practices.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
This was a retrospective study on transfusion data from the 2013 calendar year. This study included a survey component that asked about hospital RBC selection and transfusion practices and a data collection component where participants submitted information on RBC unit disposition including blood group and D type of unit and recipient. Units administered to recipients of unknown ABO or D group were excluded.
RESULTS
Thirty‐eight hospitals in 11 countries responded to the survey, 30 of which provided specific RBC unit disposition data. Overall, 11.1% (21,235/191,397) of group O units were transfused to non‐O recipients; 22.6% (8777/38,911) of group O D– RBC units were transfused to O D+ recipients, and 43.2% (16,800/38,911) of group O D– RBC units were transfused to recipients that were not group O D–. Disposition of units and hospital transfusion policy varied within and across hospitals of different sizes, with transfusion of group O D– units to non‐group O D– patients ranging from 0% to 33%.
CONCLUSION
A significant proportion of group O and D– RBC units were transfused to compatible, nonidentical recipients, although the frequency of this practice varied across sites.
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