Potential utilization of a national HLA-typed donor pool for bone marrow transplantation

Most individuals with diseases potentially treatable by bone marrow transplantation lack an HLA-identical sibling donor. The annual incidence of 11 diseases probably or possibly benefitted by bone marrow transplantation was corrected for patient and disease characteristics to determine annual adjusted incidences. These data were used to project the number of individuals who might receive transplants using an HLA-typed national bone marrow donor pool. Estimates of transplant outcome were then utilized to predict potential annual benefit. Approximately 12,000 individuals annually are predicted to be candidates for transplantation from a national donor pool. Using indicated projected benefits, this could result in benefit to approximately 5000 individuals. Such a pool may also be useful for individuals accidently exposed to radiation.