It’s been unclear if there was any difference in patient outcomes if parents or siblings are the haploidentical (half-matched) donors for pediatric patients. An observational study conducted by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) provides insights to help guide donor selection for pediatric transplant patients when there are multiple potential haploidentical family donors available.
Researchers examined the outcomes of more than 1,000 patients who had a haploidentical related donor transplants from parental or sibling donors. More than half of the patients received the transplant due to cancer.
The results showed that sibling donors, compared to parents, resulted in better outcomes, including lower risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and graft failure. Rates and severity of GVHD were higher with older, mainly parental, donors. The findings align with those of adult transplant patients – that outcomes are better with younger donors.
The transplant world hasn’t had this guidance for pediatric patients to date. Donor selection impacts post-transplant complications and outcomes. Being able to help prioritize donor selection for the youngest patients in need of transplant is a development to be heralded.
Learn more by reviewing a comprehensive analysis and description of the study.