Home Blood Transfusions for Anemia
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine the practicality and acceptability of administering blood transfusions at home for individuals with certain blood cancers or bone marrow issues who frequently require transfusions. Participants will receive blood products delivered and administered in their homes, and the study will gather feedback on the process's effectiveness and participants' experiences. The trial seeks individuals who have had two or more blood transfusions in the past month, receive cancer care at SKCCC, live within 30 miles of the center, and have no history of transfusion reactions. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative care solutions that could enhance quality of life for many.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that home blood transfusions are safe?
Research has shown that home blood transfusions are generally safe and well-tolerated. In one study, out of 11,928 home transfusions, only 144 cases (1.21%) experienced mild side effects, and just 6 cases (0.05%) had severe reactions, indicating that serious problems are very rare.
Another study found that home-based blood transfusions are safe, particularly for carefully selected patients. Although existing studies aren't perfect, they provide some reassurance about safety.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Unlike traditional anemia treatments that require visits to a hospital or clinic for blood transfusions, home blood transfusions offer the convenience of receiving care right at home. This approach not only saves time and reduces the stress of travel for patients but also provides a more comfortable and personalized healthcare experience. Researchers are excited about the potential for home transfusions to maintain patient safety while improving access to essential treatments, especially for individuals with mobility issues or those living in remote areas.
What evidence suggests that home blood transfusion is effective for anemia?
Research has shown that home blood transfusions, which participants in this trial will receive, are generally safe. A review found only a 0.05% chance of serious side effects. Another study found that many patients with blood cancers experienced noticeable symptom relief after receiving transfusions at home. Specifically, 68% of these patients showed improved lab results and overall health. Although home transfusions have not been directly compared to hospital ones for effectiveness, the symptom improvement is encouraging.12678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Adam Binder, MD
Principal Investigator
Adam.Binder@jefferson.edu
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for patients with blood-related cancers or bone marrow failure syndromes who need regular blood transfusions. Participants should be interested in receiving these transfusions at home and able to complete surveys and interviews about the experience.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive 1-2 blood products transfused in the home each week for a total of 5 transfusions
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Home Blood Transfusion
Trial Overview
The study is testing the feasibility of a home blood transfusion program, where enrolled patients receive 1-5 units of blood products at their residence. The research will gather data on any challenges faced during administration.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Participants will receive 1-2 blood products transfused in the home each week for a total of 5 transfusions. Participants with known RBC antibodies will only be eligible to receive platelet transfusions at home. Research nurse comes to home early to draw CBC and Type and Screen. Infusion nurse delivers blood products to home. Blood product administered. Assess vital signs following administration of blood products. Perform feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness questionnaires. Complete qualitative semi-structured interviews.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Thomas Jefferson University
Lead Sponsor
American Cancer Society, Inc.
Collaborator
Citations
Home‐based blood transfusion therapy: A systematic review
Overall incidence of severe adverse events was 0.05%. No studies evaluated the effectiveness of home versus hospital transfusions.
Effectiveness and Safety of Home-Based RBC ...
Results. Seventy-seven patients (58 HM, 19 ST) received 1,664 units of RBCs. Symptom improvement was significantly greater in HM patients ...
3.
ashpublications.org
ashpublications.org/blood/article/142/9/777/486955/How-I-treat-anemia-with-red-blood-cell-transfusionHow I treat anemia with red blood cell transfusion and iron
Analyses across all patients in these randomized trials indicate that restrictive transfusion thresholds ∼7 to 8 g/dL are as safe and effective as the 9 to 10 g ...
End-of-life blood transfusion can improve quality of life
studied that among patients receiving home-transfusions, 68% had post-transfusion improvement in terms of lab values and patient outcome (41).
5.
hopkinsmedicine.org
hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2024/07/study-suggests-preoperative-iron-infusions-work-better-than-blood-transfusions-for-some-anemic-patientsStudy Suggests Preoperative Iron Infusions Work Better ...
Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers conclude that some patients with preoperative anemia have better outcomes if they get iron infusions before surgery.
6.
probiologists.com
probiologists.com/article/a-commentary-on-patient-and-caregiver-perceptions-of-home-blood-transfusions-in-the-united-statesJournal of Clinical and Experimental Hematology
Based on these data, home transfusions appear to be safe, with only 144 (1.21%) mild adverse reactions and 6 (0.05%) severe adverse reactions out of 11,928 home ...
NCT06487247 | HEME Home Transfusion Program
Refractory anemia and thrombocytopenia are common for patients with blood cancers and result in debilitating fatigue, shortness of breath, and bleeding.
Impact of red blood cell transfusion on patient's quality of life
In conclusion, RBC transfusion therapy plays a crucial role in improving QoL outcomes in patients with thalassemia and SCD by ameliorating ...
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