Transfusion Alternative

THE TROUBLE WITH TRANSFUSIONS: Whether it's a trauma room or elective surgery, modern medical care is dependent on inexhaustible supplies of donor blood. As a patient loses his own blood, he loses the ability to carry oxygen to vital organs. Red blood cells from donor blood are required to keep the oxygen flowing until the patient can regenerate his own supply of blood. However, blood transfusion technology is not without shortcomings. For one, donor blood is highly perishable, and must be kept refrigerated. Furthermore, in most cases, donor and recipient blood types must match in order for the transfusion to be successful, and donated blood has the possibility of carrying various infections, including hepatitis and HIV. Also, hospitals often run into serious blood shortages.

A SYNTHETIC SOLUTION: Many of the drawbacks listed above have been addressed through the creation of a new class of blood substitutes called Hemoglobin Based Oxygen Carriers, or "HBOCs." The liquids look much like blood, and are actually made using the hemoglobin of cow's blood, or outdated (expired) human blood. The cells are carefully screened and treated to avoid the possibility of passing on disease -- including mad cow disease. Then, the substances are transfused into a patient's system in the same way they would receive traditional blood. The hemoglobin carries oxygen to the patient's vital organs when the patient's own blood supplies are insufficient. HBOCs can be stored at room temperature for up to three years. They can be used with all blood types, and can be manufactured in large amounts. The primary disadvantage with HBOCs is that, unlike standard blood transfusions, their effectiveness wears off after a few days. However, doctors say many patients may begin making their own red blood cells by then.

IMPRESSIVE STUDY RESULTS: Jonathan Jahr, M.D., is currently a professor of anesthesiology at UCLA Medical Center. Previously, he conducted clinical trials using a cow's blood-based HBOC while at the University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento CA. In the study, 350 elective surgery patients received an HBOC, while 338 others received standard blood transfusions. There were no significant problems associated with the use of the blood substitute. In fact, roughly 60 percent of the patients who received the HBOC began generating their own red blood cells by the time the effect of the HBOC wore off, and needed no blood transfusions at all. The rest of the HBOC patients did require donor blood after the HBOC's effectiveness expired, but in far smaller quantities than transfusion patients typically need. The most significant side effect noticed in HBOC patients was a temporary yellowish skin discoloration.

HBOC'S FUTURE: Dr. Jahr is very encouraged by the promise of HBOCs. They are already being used regularly in South Africa. Dr. Jahr expects routine usage in the Unites States within the next 1 to 2 years.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Biopure
On the Web: www.biopure.com
Hemosol, Inc.
On the Web: www.hemosol.com