Transfusion Practices in the Era of Anti-CD38 Antibodies in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma: A Mini Review

Abstract

The availability of anti CD-38 antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma is a welcome addition to our therapeutic arsenal. However, interference of therapeutic antibodies with its target CD38, which is also expressed on erythrocytes results in false positive serological tests used in the phenotyping of red blood cells by blood banks. This could delay the release of blood products for patients requiring transfusions. Neutralization of the therapeutic CD38 antibody or CD38 denaturation on reagent red blood cells mitigates this interference. Thus, the AABB has established guidelines that need to be adopted by all clinicians using these agents in the treatment of multiple myeloma to eliminate this potential problem.