MedPath

Study of Red Blood Cell Transfusion Triggers in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Hematologic Malignancies
Interventions
Other: Red blood cell Transfusion
Registration Number
NCT01237639
Lead Sponsor
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Brief Summary

Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) is important for the care of patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. Stem cell transplants are used to treat blood cancers and bone marrow disorders. This involves the use of high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation to kill cancer cells; but this damages the marrow and blood system. Blood stem cells are transplanted by infusing into the recipient and blood counts recover over 2-3 weeks. Before bone marrow recovery, RBCs are needed to support the patient. Higher hemoglobin in these high risk patients may have benefits such as better energy and organ function. However, research in other areas of medicine suggests that a higher red cell count may be dangerous. Taken together, it is unclear whether having a lower or higher red cell count is better for patients having a blood stem cell transplant. The investigators plan to study this by randomly assigning patients having a transplant to be transfused with RBCs either at a higher or lower hemoglobin level. In this way, the investigators will be able to accurately find out if there are any benefits or harms in having a lower or higher red cell count during the recovery period after blood stem cell transplantation.

Detailed Description

1. Males or females aged 18 years or older who are undergoing either an autologous or allogeneic HSCT.

2. The indications for HSCT may include, but not limited to the following diseases :

1. Acute Leukemia, myeloid, lymphoid or biphenotypic in 1st, 2nd remission or in relapse

2. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in chronic, accelerated or blast phase

3. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

4. Myelodysplastic Syndrome

5. Myeloproliferative Disorder

6. Lymphoma

7. Myeloma

3. All study patients must provide consent at least 1 day prior to scheduled HSCT and provide written informed consent.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
300
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients are aged 16-70 undergoing either an autologous or allogeneic HSCT for any hematologic malignancy
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnant or lactating at the time of enrollment
  • Already received red cell transfusion after HSCT but prior to enrollment
  • Unable/unwilling to provide informed consent.
  • Patients receiving HSCT for non-malignancy

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Restrictive Red blood cell TransfusionRed blood cell TransfusionTransfusion Trigger of 70g/L with an aim to maintain Hemoglobin between 80-90g/L
Liberal Red blood Cell TransfusionRed blood cell TransfusionTransfusion Trigger of 90g/L with an aim to maintain Hemoglobin between 100-110g/L
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of Life (QOL)/Function based on the FACT-BMT scale3 years

The FACT consists of 5 subscales that measure physical well-being, functional well-being, social/family well-being and emotional well-being. The BMT subscale of the FACT includes additional items specifically designed to test quality of life and symptoms specific to BMT patients.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Transplant Related Mortality100 days
Platelet Transfusion100 days
Red Cell Transfusion100 days
Serious Infections100 days

All grade 4 and 5 infections (according to the CTCAE v.4)

Economic Evaluation/Quality of Life100 days

EQ-5D

NCI Toxicity Scale100 days
Acute Graft Versus Host Disease100 days
Bleeding100 days

Grade 3 or 4 by WHO scale

Time to Non-relapse Mortality100 days

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

Hamilton Health Sciences Centre

🇨🇦

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

The Ottawa Hospital

🇨🇦

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

London Health Sciences Centre, University Hospital

🇨🇦

London, Ontario, Canada

Saskatchewan Cancer Centre

🇨🇦

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath