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In vitro platelet production for transfusion purposes: Where are we now?
Patricia Martínez-Botía1, Andrea Acebes-Huerta2, Jerard Seghatchian3
1Platelet Research Lab, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain; Dept. of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Spain.
Insights
The demand for platelet concentrates (PCs) is rising globally. Researchers are exploring in vitro production of viable, functional platelets to address shortages and ensure transfusion safety.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biotechnology
- Transfusion Medicine
Background:
- Global demand for platelet concentrates (PCs) for transfusion has increased significantly over the past decade.
- This rise is attributed to aging populations and increased incidence of onco-hematological diseases requiring frequent platelet (PLT) transfusions.
- Current PLT sources are solely donations with short shelf lives, posing risks of bacterial contamination and shortages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review efforts in producing high yields of viable and functional platelets through in vitro culture.
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of in vitro platelet production.
- To ensure compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and transfusion safety standards.
Main Methods:
- Focus on in vitro culture techniques for platelet production.
- Evaluation of methods for achieving high yields of functional platelets.
- Assessment of strategies to meet cGMP and safety standards.
Main Results:
- The report focuses on the *efforts* made to produce platelets in vitro, rather than presenting specific experimental results.
- The goal is to achieve cost-effective, high-yield production of viable and functional platelets.
- Success in this area would address the critical shortage of platelet concentrates.
Conclusions:
- In vitro production of platelets offers a promising alternative to address the increasing demand and shortage of platelet concentrates.
- Developing cost-effective and scalable methods is crucial for meeting transfusion needs.
- Ensuring the viability, functionality, and safety of in vitro-derived platelets is paramount for clinical application.
Abstract:
Over the last decade there has been a worldwide increase in the demand of platelet concentrates (PCs) for transfusion. This is, to a great extent, due to a growing and aging population with the concomitant increase in the incidence of onco-hematological diseases, which require frequent platelet (PLT) transfusions. Currently, PLTs are sourced uniquely from donations, and their storage time is limited only to a few days. The necessity to store PCs at room temperature (to minimize loss of PLT functional integrity), poses a major risk for bacterial contamination. While the implementation of pathogen reduction treatments (PRTs) and new-generation PLT additive solutions have allowed the extension of the shelf life and a safer PLT transfusion product, the concern of PCs shortage still pressures the scientific community to find alternative solutions with the aim of meeting the PLT transfusion increasing demand. In this concise report, we will focus on the efforts made to produce, in in vitro culture, high yields of viable and functional PLTs for transfusion purposes in a cost-effective manner, meeting not only current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), but also transfusion safety standards.
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